When the First World War ended, not all kids got their fathers back, and among those that did come home were many scarred by mental wounds.
After the bands stop playing and the street festivities subside, young Rita and Thomas wait to see their Dad again. But the man who eventually comes home doesn’t speak and is frightened by loud noises.
Struggling to understand, the kids support him as he readjusts to home life, all the while singing his favourite song.
One day, while they help him fix the deck, Dad starts to join in the song …
When Dad Came Home movingly captures a children’s view of war and the realities of shell shock (what we now know as PTSD).
Published on Thursday 8 November, in time to mark the centenary of the War’s end on 11 November 1918, this striking debut work is reminder of how the effects went on after the dads came home.
Author Vanessa Hatley-Owen will be on hand to launch the book at Howick Library this Saturday 10 November (see below) — all welcome.
Vanessa Hatley-Owen (above, left) is a writer who has published with Learning Media and been a New Zealand Society of Authors mentee. A mother of three and teacher support, she lives in Howick, Auckland.
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Rosie Colligan (right) has illustrated for book and commercial clients in New Zealand and internationally, and formerly worked at Weta Digital. She lives in Wellington.
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