Pistes d'exploration

Memorize the poem “In Flanders Fields” and present it at a Remembrance Day assembly. Discuss the message of this poem and how John McCrae was feeling when he wrote it.

Write a thank-you letter to a veteran or active soldier. Learn more about Canada’s peacekeeping role.

Decorate a poppy with adjectives that describe soldiers (dedicated, courageous, strong, etc.) and the roles they play.

Learn more about the life and times of John McCrae. Write a fitting epitaph.

Prior to reading, discuss and note what the poppy represents. Compare this with what the book suggests it represents. 

Discuss how soldiers, their families and their friends are affected by war. Discuss how small wars can be prevented at school. 

Craft large red poppies and write messages of peace on them. Display these in the classroom or hallways.

Discuss the main issues of any ongoing wars. Locate them on a map. 

Proud as a Peacock, Brave as a Lion, Bunny the Brave War Horse, Remembering John McCrae

Mots-clés

Non-fiction , Canadian symbols , In Flanders Fields , John McCrae , Remembrance Day , war , World War I

Commentaire descriptif

Focusing on the symbolism of the poppy, this inspiring read-aloud pays tribute to those who served in the Great War and in subsequent wars; those who “crossed troubled lands and threatening waters and dangerous skies.” It honours the survivors, the wounded and the medical professionals who tended to them; those who died, and those left behind. It describes the muddy fields where “wild poppies sprang up, glowing brightly” and the Canadian doctor, John McCrae, who penned the now famous poem about them. Simple text, rich in imagery, explains why we wear poppies on Remembrance Day, in terms that are easy for young readers to understand. The showcased poem, “In Flanders Fields,” stands on a page all to itself. Full-bleed oil paintings capture vivid scenes of war and victory, including the characters’ facial expressions. The book jacket explains that the illustrator drew on memories of his father who served in the Second World War, and his mother who hid in air-raid shelters during the Blitz. Two longer texts at the end, “The Story of the Poppy” and “Remembrance Day in Canada,” offer additional detail and accompanying photographs.