Thirty original ANZAC stories have come to life in a new children's book.
Maria Gill's book ANZAC Heroes has rolled out in schools and stores to tell the stories of the Australian and New Zealand men and women who fought in World Wars I and II.
It made sense to Ms Gill to write ANZAC Heroes after writing about famous New Zealanders for two hall of fame books.
The book includes the stories from different perspectives, including Maori, women and an aboriginal soldier, Albert Knight. His family told her his story hadn't been told before, despite his achievements.
"It's really good for children to read about these different viewpoints," says Ms Gill. "I think that's really important… there's some wonderful stories in there."
The book includes maps of where the battles took place, stories of soldiers, doctors and humanitarians and a full-page glossary on Victoria Cross medals.
"They thought [war] was this wonderful big adventure, which they realised very quickly… it was nothing like that at all," she says.
Dr Jessie Scott was in Belgrade treating soldiers when the Germans stormed the city in 1915 (Maria Gill)
The book was no mean feat, taking just under two years to complete. She was given a Creative New Zealand grant, which enabled her to spend time researching at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
ANZAC Heroes is written for 10- to 14-year-olds, and Ms Gill has recently just finished touring around Bay of Plenty schools.
"It was hugely popular with the children, but also the teachers," she says.
It includes illustrations by Marco Ivancic, who has previously worked with Ms Gill on New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame.
The artwork is stunning, each drawing looking like an action photo.
"Sometimes the characters actually look like they're looking you in the eye, and some of them look like they're moving," says Ms Gill.
Ms Gill hopes the book will enlighten children on different viewpoints of the battles, and encourage thinking about solutions rather than going to war.
"I think we can learn from history," she says.
"I'm hoping that the later generation, as well as being very empathetic… [look] back and think, 'Well, maybe war isn't the answer.'"
Newshub.
