Once a Shepherd: book review

Once a Shepherd

Book Review by Trevor Agnew

 

Once a Shepherd (2014) Glenda Millard, ill. Phil Lesnie, Walker Books, 32pp, hb, NZ$29.99

ISBN 978-1-921720-62-8

 

The centenary of the Great War has produced a flood of picture books about specific aspects of the fighting.  In Once a Shepherd, however, Glenda Millard takes a different approach, creating a universal figure, who could be from any nation. Tom the Shepherd is happy living in the green hills with his wife, Cherry, and their sheep. Then Phil Lesnie’s striking illustrations become more sombre, as his wife sews Tom a greatcoat with brass buttons.
“Once Tom fare-thee-welled his dear one
And he stroked his unborn child.”
Tom marches away to join thousands of other soldiers in the trenches.
“Once he marched right into hell.”
Kneeling to help a wounded enemy, Tom is shot dead. After the war, the man he saved returns the coat to Cherry She uses it to make a soft toy lamb for the young son who Tom never saw. The story ends with hope for the future.
“Once the world was all at peace.”
 

Note: This book review was first published in Your Weekend magazine on 15 November 2014.

Full Publishing Details:

Once a Shepherd (2014) Glenda Millard, ill. Phil Lesnie, Walker Books, 32pp, hb, NZ$29.99
ISBN 978-1-921720-62-8