The War and Freddy

Freddy is three when the war begins, and nine when it ends. In the intervening time he observes the world, goes to school, struggles into reading and endures the delights and disappointments attendant upon friendship and family. At the end of the book, Freddy is glad the war is over, but an awareness of atrocity and holocaust have changed his world forever. The story is vividly told with a great deal of warmth and humour, and no sentimentality. Its social history value is enhanced by excellent illustrations. A book to provide thought-provoking shared reading for groups of older children.