This is the fifth picture book about World War I that Glyn Harper and Jenny Cooper have collaborated on and all have been excellent. This book tells the true story of Bobby, a canary used by the Royal Engineer tunnellers to detect poisonous gas. It is also the story of Jack, his handler, and the other men who worked in tough conditions to dig tunnels under the German trenches. Bobby saves the tunnellers on seven occasions and finally receives his freedom.
Glyn tells the story simply and well. He does a good job of portraying the dangerous and unpleasant conditions without making it too graphic for its young target market. Jenny's illustrations are superb. Bobby provides a bright splash of colour on each page with Jack's fair hair being a more subdued echo of Bobby's plumage. Jack's facial expressions, along with those of the other men, speak of apprehension, fear, melancholy and wistfulness along with times of delight and joy. Adding to the story, the final page gives more information about the tunnellers of World War I. Using stories of animals to tell young children about war is a great way of making the subject accessible and interesting for children and Glyn and Jenny are experts. ( )