Digger is the story of one toy kangaroo, one Australian soldier, Annie and Colette, set in two countries engaged in a world at war.
It is an amazingly poignant story and beautifully portrayed in text and illustration.
It is a tribute to the French school children who tended the graves of Australian soldiers and a quiet reminder of the casualties of the battle for Villers-Bretonneux in April 1918.
James goes off to war, leaving his homeland Australia behind and takes with him Digger, a toy kangaroo which Annie, his sister, has lovingly repaired and named just for him. The pages turn over to show images of a soldier who is keen to help and fight for his own country and for others. He faces everything with courage.
Digger is always with him and they both even survive a blast in the trenches.
Colette in France, helps to repair Digger and one day he is brought to Colette without James. He is sent back to Australia repaired and with a note for Annie...
Mike Dumbleton is the author and illustrated by Robin Cowcher another great book from publishers Allen and Unwin, Australia.
With tears in my eyes on the last page, I believe this book is truly amazing and will be a sad but good read for anyone, whether they are coping with loss, learning about the effects of war or just as a brilliant picture book.
Sue Martin
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