Anzac Day
On April 25th, New Zealand marks Anzac Day. Across the country, services will be held to commemorate the day.
We’ve put together some great reading options for children of all ages to help you learn a bit more about Anzac Day and the First World War.
What is Anzac Day?
ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, which refers to the group of soldiers who left Australia and New Zealand to fight in the First World War.
Anzac Day commemorates their sacrifice. The day is marked on April 25th as this was the date of the first big military action seen by ANZAC soldiers in Gallipoli in 1915.
Gallipoli is an area of modern-day Turkey. In 1915, soldiers from Australia and New Zealand landed on the beach in an attempt to seize Gallipoli from the Ottoman Empire, which was allied to the Germans. But resistance was stronger than anticipated, and fighting went on for eight months before the remaining soldiers were evacuated. More than 130,000 men, including 2779 New Zealanders, died, and many more were injured or suffered illness.
The first Anzac Day commemoration took place in 1916, and it became an official public holiday in 1920. Today, the day commemorates Australian and New Zealand soldiers who took part in the First World War and subsequent conflicts.
Anzac Day is usually marked with services held at dawn, which include wreath laying, the Ode to the Fallen and a minute’s silence. Community parades are also held later in the day. Official ceremonies are held in Wellington and Auckland, and also on the Gallipoli peninsula where the original action took place.
During Anzac Day, people wear red poppies to remember the fallen. These were the first flowers to appear on the battlefields of France after the war. Poppies are sold by the NZ Returned Services Association (RSA) to raise money to support service personnel, veterans and their families.
Books about Anzac Day
For pre-schoolers
Anzac Ted by Belinda Landsberry - A gentle introduction for young kids, told through the story of a worn-out teddy bear that belonged to a soldier.
My Grandad Marches on Anzac Day by Catriona Hoy & Benjamin Johnson - A child-friendly look at an Anzac Day parade and its meaning, seen through the eyes of a young girl.
For primary schoolers
The ANZAC Puppy by Peter Millett & Trish Bowles - Based on a true story, this touching tale of a soldier and his puppy companion is great for this age group.
Roly, the Anzac Donkey by Glyn Harper & Jenny Cooper - A heartwarming story about animals at war, based on the famous donkeys that helped carry the wounded at Gallipoli.
For tweens and early teens
Loyal Creatures by Morris Gleitzman - A powerful fictional story based on real events, about a boy and his horse who lie about their age to serve in WWI.
Simpson and His Donkey by Mark Greenwood & Frane Lessac - A retelling of the famous story of John Simpson Kirkpatrick, known for rescuing wounded soldiers at Gallipoli with his donkey.
Archie's War: My Scrapbook of the First World War by Marcia Williams - More graphic in style, this book combines comic-strip narrative with real-life history.
For older teens and young adults
Gallipoli by Alan Moorehead - A gripping non-fiction classic that brings the Gallipoli campaign to life. It’s accessible enough for teens and a great companion to school studies or general interest.
A Rose for the ANZAC Boys by Jackie French - Historical fiction that follows three young women during WWI — one of the best YA books exploring the war from a female perspective. Moving, raw, and very readable.
1915 by Roger McDonald - A powerful coming-of-age novel that follows two young Australian men from country town life to the trenches of Gallipoli. It’s beautifully written and explores friendship, innocence, and the impact of war.
Anzac Day activities
If you’d like to attend an Anzac Day service, you can find details of your local events on your local council website or this list from the RSA.
You might also like to try making Anzac biscuits. The story behind these biscuits is that women from Australia and New Zealand made them to send to the troops, but there is some dispute about this and whether they would have survived the journey. Instead, it’s likely they were made and sold at fundraising events closer to home to raise money for the war effort.
Either way, they are delicious! There are lots of recipes available. Try this one from the Kiwi classic, The Edmonds Cookbook.
