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Spotlight on A Bear in War
The legacy of a Canadian military family lives on through the new children’s book, A Bear in War.
A Bear in War shares the true story of the Rogers family during World War I, as told through the eyes of an unusual narrator: ten-year-old Aileen Rogers’ teddy bear. When Aileen’s father Lawrence was deployed to France as a medic, Aileen sent her beloved “Teddy” in a care package to remind him of home and keep him safe.
Though Lawrence died in the battle of Passchendaele in 1917, Teddy was returned to Aileen in Canada. He now lives on in the Canadian War Museum as a symbol of all military families’ strength, love and resilience during World War I.
The legacy of a military family also lives on through the creation of this children’s book. A Bear in War was co-written by Stephanie Innes, Lawrence Rogers’ great granddaughter, after her mother Roberta uncovered Teddy and a series of wartime family letters in an old briefcase.
Director Military Family Services recommends A Bear in War to military families and civilian families alike; it’s a sweet, honest story that teaches the importance of remembrance to children.
A Bear in War may also be a welcome addition to Canadian/Military Family Resource Centre bookshelves and may integrate well into children’s activities. By visiting www.abearinwar.com, C/MFRC staff will also find a host of resources for educators, which may help get them thinking about creative ways to use this resource.
