Featuring a profound anti-war message, this moving and poetic
meditation on the big questions in the tradition of The Little Prince
is now available in the author's original edition for older readers
There's a war on. We see something that looks like a desert. There are
two holes. In the two holes are two soldiers. THEY ARE ENEMIES.
So begins this extraordinary, highly contemporary picture book. Inspired
by historical events, it speaks to adults, yet is also accessible to a
child of primary school age. Set in a war not unlike World War I, the
tale is narrated by one of the soldiers, who tells of his loneliness,
deprivations, fears, irritations, and, finally, his resolve to end his
part in the war. In exploring his own emotions about a conflict
seemingly without end or reason, he comes to suspect his enemy is not
the inhuman barbarian he has been warned about, but may just be a
frightened, tired victim of propaganda like himself. The unforgettable
artwork, which combines photographic collage, simple line drawings, and
a masterful use of white space, will make this book a collectable for
all those who admire illustrated books of the highest quality. Published
in association with Amnesty International, this book is an ideal
conversation starter about how conflict and violence can give way to
peace, compassion, and understanding.
