Most books recommended below can be used for either of these two important holidays, though some are specific. On November 11 we honor those who have served in our Armed Forces. November 11 is the date for this commemoration because on the eleventh day of the eleventh month of the eleventh hour in 1918, the warring world signed an armistice, ending the slaughter of millions in World War I. For years known as "Armistice Day," it is now a broader tribute to veterans of our Armed Forces.
On the last Monday of May we celebrate Memorial Day, which honors members of the armed forces, who gave their lives in service to our country. That holiday has historical roots in the grief of so many for our Civil War dead. Initially known as "Decoration Day," the holiday was proposed by the war's widows, who did not wish to forget the sacrifice of those who gave their lives for their country. Georgia's Mary Anne Williams is widely credited with proposing a holiday to decorate the graves of soldiers, though similar ceremonies were taking place as early as 1865 in many parts of the south.
New (to us) and Noteworthy
Let's Celebrate Memorial Day. Barbara deRubertis. Kane Press, 2016. (2-6) Illustrated with many photos, this touching book has quite a bit of text and is fruitfully read at upper grade levels. Memorial Day had roots in the Civil War and began shortly thereafter, as those who grieved the death of their loved ones decorated their graves. By 1868 "Decoration Day" involved a formal ceremony to honor the dead, held at Arlington National Cemetery and at Gettysburg. By 1882, the holiday was being called Memorial Day and after World War I, was devoted to all those who had given their life for their country in war - from Revolutionary War veterans to the present. This book explains the rich traditions of this holiday (flag-planting at graves, parades, concerts, and poppies). It gives a one paragraph overview of each of the nation's war memorials since the Civil War, and ends with a call to gratitude to "the more than one million men and women who died defending our country, our freedoms, and us... Freedom is not free." the book concludes.
A richly illustrated, rhyming text leads young children through the meaning of Memorial Day, and encourages gratitude toward those who served in our armed forces and paid the ultimate price of their lives for our freedom. The book introduces flag ceremonies, visits to the cemetery, concerts and parades, and recalls famous historical battles. The verse is not always felicitous, but the message is spot-on.
The Wall. Eve Bunting. Illustrated by Ronald Himler. Clarion Books, 1992. (K-3) Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Heroism In this haunting book, a young boy, the grandson of a fallen Vietnam War veteran and his dad travel to Washington,D.C. to visit the Vietnam Memorial and find the grandfather’s name. They scan the names under 1967, seeking and recalling. They leave a photo of the grandchild he never knew, and see what others have left there. They encounter other visitors, among them a wheel-chair bound and decorated vet, who too seeks his solace there. Without being preachy the book recalls the sacrifice of those who served. and the 58,000 who died. Beautiful, sometimes stark, watercolors accompany the somber walk in this solemn place on a fall day.
The Flag We Love. Pam Munoz Ryan. Illustrated by Ralph Maiello. Charlesbridge, 2000. (1-3) Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Loyalty, Love of Country In rhyming verse, with vivid illustrations, we learn the history and special meaning of the American flag. The vocabulary will stretch Kindergartners, but is a delightful read for lower grades.
Veterans. Heroes in our Neighborhood. Valerie Pfundstein. Illustrated by Aaron Anderson. Pfun-omenal Stories, 2013. (K-4) Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Heroes Children learn that people they meet every day have served and sacrificed for our country. A class is asked by their teacher to name veterans they know. A boy asks his Dad, who relates that the barber and butcher, nurse and the firefighter have all served in different services. Lovely verse. The end notes have pictures of the profiled people in their uniforms and a summary of their service and occupations now.
Veteran’s Day. Robert Walker. Crabtree Publishing Co. 2010. (K-3) Veteran’s Day The origin of the holiday is well explained and the large scale photos enliven the text.
Let’s Celebrate Veteran’s Day. Barbara deRubertis. Astra Publishing House, 2014. (1-4) Veteran’s Day. This factual overview of all branches of the armed services explains their contributions, how they help to defend our country. Illustrated with both historic and current photographs with a brief history of the national holiday.
The Poppy Lady. Moina Belle Michael and Her Tribute to Veterans. Barbara E. Walsh. Illustrated by Layne Johnson. Calkins Creek, 2012. (2-5) Love of Country, Sacrifice American University Professor Moina Belle Michael saw her students and friends go off to fight in World War I, and many lost their lives. Inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields,” she launched a campaign to make poppies the symbol of remembrance for fallen soldiers, who had sacrificed all for their country. Much of Michael’s own life at this time was devoted to helping soldiers. Warm and vibrant illustrations show women on the home front as well as departing soldiers. Excellent for Veteran’s Day or Memorial Day.
Twenty-one Steps. Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Jeff Gottesfeld. Illustrated by Matt Tavares. Candlewick, 2021. (2-5) Veterans Day, Memorial Day With precision, respect, and reverence for sacrifice, Marines stand watch day and night at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. They pay honor and tribute to the fallen. Perhaps inspired by Tom Cotton's full length book on this topic last spring (Sacred Duty), Gottesfeld and Tavares have brought this duty to life for children. An excellent second to fifth grade read.
A Day for Rememberin'. Leah Henderson. Illustrated by Floyd Cooper. Harry Abrams, 2021. (2-6) Memorial Day, Love of Country, Justice This well done picture book is a fictional account of what was possibly the first celebration of Memorial Day on May 1, 1865 in Charleston, South Carolina. This story is told from the perspective of a newly liberated African American child, who dons his finest clothes to accompany his parents to honor those who gave their lives fighting for freedom in the Civil War. Most historians credit Georgia's Mary Anne Williams for ensuring a "Memorial Day" to honor the nation's war dead (after the Civil War). But this book is true to the initial intent of many who urged that we not forget their sacrifice.
America's White Table.* Margot Theis Raven. Illustrated by Mike Benny. Sleeping Bear Press, 2014. (4-6) Love of Country, Honor A touching account of a post-Vietnam tradition observed on Veterans Day on military bases and by many military families. Setting the small "White Table" on Veteran's Day is a way to honor those who are missing in action or still imprisoned. "It was just a little white table... but it felt as big as America when we helped Mama put each item on it." A child recounts the symbolism of a table set just for one, covered by a white cloth (symbol of purity of heart), chair tipped in to signify one who hadn't returned, plate with one slice of lemon and grains of sand (symbolizing bitter fate and tears of the families waiting), one black napkin (to signify missing), and a red rose (remembrance). A child witnesses this on Veteran's Day when her uncle John (a Vietnam ex-POW) comes for dinner. A powerful Veteran's Day reminder of the courage and sacrifice of those who serve in the Armed Forces. *Available on Epic!
In Flanders Fields - The Story of the Poem by John McCrae Linda Granfield. Illustrated by Janet Wilson. Fitzhenry and Whiteside, 2014. (4-6) This poignant volume speaks to both the sacrifice of those who fought in World War I and their hope that their death served a higher purpose. Idealistic physician John McCrae served in the Canadian armed forces on the Western Front. He experienced trench warfare, poison gas, and the death not just of many patients, but of a close friend. The death of his friend prompted him to write the famous poem which sets the stark finality of death against a background of life. He asks later generations to vindicate their sacrifice and not to break faith with those who have died. Granfield’s explanation of the war’s causes and dimensions provide a sobering backdrop for the poem, as does the knowledge that McCrae himself died before the war’s end. Teachers may wish to read the entire text of the poem with the class first, then read the contextual material over a period of two days, and conclude with a final reading of the poem.
The Christmas Truce: A True Story of World War I. Aaron Shepherd. Illustrated by Wendy Edelson. Skyhook Press, 2016. (4-6)Forgiveness Across the trenches in France, British and German troops had been shelling each other for months. Hatred for the enemy gripped both sides, but on Christmas Eve 1914, a most extraordinary event took place: German troops strung lights along their posts and began to sing carols. The English listened. Then the Germans summoned the English to join in. The two sides sang Christmas carols back and forth to each other, and sent well wishers of each side to meet the other. This “Christmas Truce” has become legendary and is a heart-stopping moment of human empathy and forgiveness. The story is told as a letter from a British soldier written to his sister back home, and though the letter is fictional, the events and its particulars are true. The book is exquisitely illustrated by Wendy Edeleson.
