By Belinda Landsberry
Re-issued as a gorgeous hardback to celebrate its 10th anniversary, meet a bear more extraordinary than most in this best-selling story about the Anzac spirit.
Anzac Ted might look scary – but there’s more to this battered old bear than meets the eye! This is a story about the Anzac spirit and how, through courage, loyalty and love, a child’s teddy bear helped to bring our soldiers home.
Anzac Ted is the powerful, poignant story of a little boy’s teddy bear that his grandfather passed down to him. Battered, torn, missing an eye and an ear, he might look scary but he’s got a great story to tell. For Anzac Ted went to war, keeping soldiers company and giving them comfort. And while he never won a medal, and now doesn’t even attract a single vote at classroom Toy Shows, if only everyone looked a little deeper:
‘They’d see a hero, plain as day
Who sits upon my bed.
A hero, who saved me and you.
His name… is Anzac Ted.’
This special edition includes additional content such as a page of information on the history of the ANZACS and the shared experience of ANZAC and Turkish soldiers, as well as a ‘How to draw Anzac Ted’ activity page.
Anzac Ted is available 6th March 2024, 2023. RRP $29.99. Buy it here.
“I love how Anzac Ted communicates the Anzac legacy to children. It only gives a general overview of the wartime experience, highlighting soldiers leaving their families and travelled overseas to places where they felt scared and alone, but found the courage to face hardships and danger with the comfort of their friendships and the presence of Anzac Ted, their mascot. The vibrant illustrations vividly depict the different time periods, setting an emotional tone, particularly during the parts that focus on the war. This story is beautifully written and one that should be treasured. With ANZAC Day coming up next month, this is a great story to introduce children to what it means. My daughter (7) has heard stories about the ANZACs and the significance of the 25th of April, and loved hearing about this very special bear.” – Chantal, a Northern Beaches Mum
ABOUT THE CREATOR
Belinda Landsberry is an award-winning author and illustrator. She has a Diploma of Teaching with a major in Fine Arts, and a Diploma of Graphic Design. Anzac Ted was her first book, and her second was Once I Was Loved, a beautiful picture book about a toy rabbit (EK Books, 2019).