OUGD503: Penguin- Book setting

World War II

Carrie's War is not only an interesting children's book but it also used as a tool for teachers and parents to explain what happened to children within World War II. The book doesn't particularly mention largely about the horrific events of the frontline (due to being a children's book) but instead it focuses on Carrie's story as a form of dream/ looking back. The book was published in 1973 but World War II happened between 1939 and 1945. 

The beginning of the book focuses on the events that happened to most children from the city, they were sent away. 

https://birminghamchildrenslives.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/week-15-ww2-home-front_box2-print15.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4d/Operation_Pied_Piper.jpg

In Carrie's War, she was sent away to Wales with her brother who were originally from London. There is a somewhat set visual identity of each child because they would be labelled. 

Sometimes the only form of contact with their mother and family would be through letters.

Ration books:

From the back of the book (history and extras)

About Nina Bawden: (author)

World War 2 facts:

It is important to note that the book doesn't focus upon the war itself but intact the impact it has on the children's lives. It is more personal and is concerned with the adventures of carrie and nick rather than the devastating affects of the war in the UK and the rest of the world. As a child you are more focused on how events affect you and those around you and this book really highlights those thoughts from a child's point of view, however I think this book can be also enjoyed by adults too, it isn't written too simplistically. 

"In her books she often writes about places, events and people she has known. The readers can imagine themselves in similar situations because they seem so real. Many of her children’s stories involve secrets and the complications that follow when people try to keep things hidden. They are also about how children can adapt to change and how they try to make sense of only half-understood facts. Usually by the end

of the book the characters have found out a little more about themselves and the world around them. In Carrie’s War Carrie has to wait until she grows up to really understand what she went through."

http://www.bristolreads.com/the_seige/downloads/carries_activity_pack.pdf