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Nice Day For A War; adventures of a kiwi soldier in World War 1 by Chris Slane and Matt Elliott

For the first time ever, the graphic history of New Zealanders on the Western Front is told in a graphic novel. It explains the things that many of today's generation have trouble grasping, like why New Zealand defended England and why so many were willing to give their life in a foreign land for a foreign country.

Author Matt Elliott tells the story hat his grandfather shared with many other New Zealand soldiers, giving a good account of what the soldiers felt and what life was like for them. His primary source for information has been his grandfather's own war diaries, but has been added to with research from various sources so it no longer tells one man's own story but that of all who took part. Gaps in the diaries have also been filled by this research, making the book a gripping read.

Chris also carried out extensive research for his\ illustrations, looking at public and private collections of photographs and artwork from that period. His drawings are designed to reflect the typical experiences of soldiers as well as events not usually recorded visually. Colour drawings also add another dimension to images we are more used to seeing in black and white.

I particularly like the way the book has illustrated sections of letters home, news reports and soldiers instructions showing the incongruity of the image given to the NZ public and the reality of the war. The illustrations also make it interesting for those who don't enjoy reading or who might find the subject matter otherwise boring.

The book is not all grim though, as the author and illustrator find the same release as the soldiers themselves used, that of the medium of humour. This makes it a very readable and enjoyable history lesson for the intended audience of intermediate and high school students. With this readership in mind, Matt has also avoided the simplistic portrayal of heroism, conflict and national stereotypes that often are shown to students in books on war. It brings World War 1 to life for students and is a great basis for study on this conflict.

RRP $29.99
Published and distributed by HarperCollins Publishers
 

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