In Flanders Fields: The Story of the Poem by John McCrae [Hardcover]

Linda Granfield (Author), Janet Wilson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up

Canadian Library Association Honour Book

The lines of the celebrated poem are interwoven with fascinating information about the First World War, details of daily life in the trenches, accounts of McCrae's experience in his field hospital, and the circumstances that led to the writing of "In Flanders Fields."

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5 Up-Within a framework of the basic historical facts of World War I, John McCrae's famous poem is juxtaposed with paintings and a biography of the poet. Vivid descriptions of the life of a soldier and an explanation of the powerful influence the poem had on society at the time are also included. Black-and-white sketches, photographs of the subject, and memorabilia (e.g., war posters and medals) add to the visual appeal created by Wilson's artwork. The format is somewhat confusing, combining the expository text with full- and double-page paintings captioned with lines of the poem. Nevertheless, this is a beautiful book that can be used in a number of ways because of the variety of information it contains.
Sabrina L. Fraunfelter, Kings Glen Elementary School, Springfield, VA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 4^-6. Focusing on the 15-line poem "In Flanders Fields," this unusual book discusses the life and wartime experiences of Canadian poet John McCrae. It looks at the conditions in the trenches and the field hospitals during the First World War, the circumstances that led to McCrae's writing the poem, the effect of its publication on morale and enlistment, and the history of "poppy day" remembrance traditions from 1919 to the present. The poem appears in full on the first page, followed by a combination of poetry, painting, and background material on the era. Full pages and double-page spreads illustrate the lines of the verse with vibrant, impressionistic paintings showing the home front, the battlefields, war-torn Ypres, and the poppies in Flanders fields yesterday and today. Interspersed are spreads featuring the history of the Great War and McCrae's role as a doctor as well as attractive pencil sketches and reproductions of period posters, postcards, photographs, and artifacts. Maps appear on the end pages. A fine introduction to the poem, the man, and the war that could serve as a focal point for discussions of Veterans Day in the U.S. or Remembrance Day in Canada. Carolyn Phelan --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 30 pages
• Publisher: Fitzhenry and Whiteside; 1 edition (May 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0773729917
• ISBN-13: 978-0773729919
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 10.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,407,550 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In Flanders Field, June 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: In Flanders Fields: The Story of the Poem by John McCrae (Paperback)

I read this book while resting my feet at Book Expo 2000. At least three people stopped to ask me about it because they were so taken by the illustrations. This picture book for young people intersperses breathtaking illustrations for the poem "In Flanders Field" with background on World War I and the story of the writing of this poem. A deeply affecting and touching book, it will give young people a personal view of war, particularly this war. Unfortunately, many children as well as adults know nothing about World War I. This book is a fine introduction and a good war to broach a painful topic. By any standard, it is well-well written and thoughtful.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every child should know this poem, September 24, 2003

By 

Cindy (Pennsylvannia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Flanders Fields: The Story of the Poem by John McCrae (Hardcover)

Growing up in Canada, I and every other child knew this poem inside and out. Every Rememberence Day[Nov.11th], we recited it, wore our poppies and then walked down to the cemetery to commemorate all the soldiers who died during the different wars. We talked about it in class for a few weeks.I gave it to my children after I found the book at a Canadian bookstore the week of it's release. They in turn took it school and their teachers read it to their classes. As a education major, I will use it in my studies and then as a teacher for my class to learn about the World Wars. The art work is beautiful and the story enclosed is lovely too, if ever can be of a book about war. It's too bad this isn't used over here in the States.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars In Flander's Field, January 18, 2007

By 

4sons "4sons" (Colorado) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: In Flanders Fields: The Story of the Poem by John McCrae (Hardcover)

A valuable book for those who wish to remind their children - and themselves - of the utter horrors of a brutal war. While not for very young children, it would be a great way to get one's family to think about war and its violence and, sometimes, its absolute necessity.