War and Peas - Michael Foreman

...with a number of publications: War Boy, After the war was over, The war game etc

An award winning author and illustrator:
The Kate Greenaway Medal 1983 & 1990
The Smarties Prize 1993
Victoria & Albert Museum Francis Williams Prize 1971 & 1977


This really is a must have book, full of great illustrations which don't reflect how long ago it was first published in 1974 and a wealth of things ... more

This is an excellent chidren's book by the award winning author Michael Foreman.
One of my nephews never used to tire of this book from the age of 4 upwards and I've just come across it again on my bookcase so thought I'd give you all an insight in to the great book.

~ The Story ~

In short it is about two opposing kingdoms; King Lion's and Fat King's.

King Lion's country had had no rain for a long time and as a result nothing would grow so there was great hunger.
In the nearby country, there was plenty of food so he decided to go with his Minister for Food to the rich neighbouring country.
As they approached the city they were impressed by the richness of everything and thought that they have more than they need.
Seized by guards, the two were taken to the main square where they saw the fattest King they have ever set eyes on!
The Lion and the Minister asked the Fat King for food to feed their starving people but the he just bellowed;
"ROBBERS! Arrest them! Burrp! Now they've given me indigestion."

The frightened pair grabbed their bicycles and pedalled as fast as they could with the fat army chasing them.

But the sheer fatness of the army meant that they couldn't drive their tanks properly and tyres burst and horses collapsed under their weight!!

By the time the fat army arrived at the borders, King Lion's citizens were ready for them and so began a huge food fight. The birds came and planted seeds and the rain came down. Suddenly the Fat King bellowed "Enough, We've had enough!"

King Lion told the Fat King how he was wrong not to help those in need and that without meaning to he had indirectly helped, e.g. the tanks etc had dug up the land and the seeds will now grow.

My favourite part is the last page which I have written out below as it sums up the message of the book:
"Burrp!" said the Fat King.
"Peace" said the Lion.
"No, no, no" groaned the Fat King, "don't mention peas, ever."
"Peace" repeated the Lion.
"Never heard of it" said the Fat King.
"What's the recipe?"

~ Illustrations ~

This book is bursting with fantastic images some of which I have taken photos of to give you an idea of them. The wealth of the Fat King's kingdom is depicted by huge cakes overflowing with cream, large chilled drinks with straws and jars totally full of biscuits.

The Lion King is extremely thin, depicting the poverty of his country and showing how although he is King of the land, he is suffering from lack of food just like his citizens.

The Fat King, not surprisingly is VERY fat, in fact obese! He is adorned with food related jewels from his rings to his crown.

There is a very humorous as well as serious element to the drawings, e.g the horses of the obese shoulders, collapsing under their weight etc.

Michael Foreman has said the following about illustrations: " Pictures offer a way of looking at and interpreting the text from a different angle. What you do is provide an image that makes the book work better rather than necessarily illuminating the text."

In short he does this so very well.

~ Style, Format & Educational Value ~

The illustrations and text are really well arranged on each page.
This book is for approx 5 - 8 year olds and can be used to spark off a lot of discussion about the greed and poverty within the world in a very child friendly way.

~ Price ~

This book is available in both paperback and hardcover.
My paperback, ISBN: 0-14-050243-2 was £4.99 but as many years have passed it now retails at £5.99. Worth checking out amazon where new and used copies start from £1.00

Also at amazon are hardcovers from £2.00/

~ Michael Foreman ~

In addition to creating his own picture books, Michael Foreman has illustrated the work of many famous writers including Shakespeare, Charles Dickens and Oscar Wilde.

Michael Foreman has drawn from his own experience of WW2 and it's aftermath with a number of publications: War Boy, After the war was over, The war game etc

An award winning author and illustrator:
The Kate Greenaway Medal 1983 & 1990
The Smarties Prize 1993
Victoria & Albert Museum Francis Williams Prize 1971 & 1977

This really is a must have book, full of great illustrations which don't reflect how long ago it was first published in 1974 and a wealth of things to talk about!

 

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