“You’ll light up the dark”, he said to her, “And bring hope to a world in pain.”
Lily had an idyllic rural upbringing, playing in the fields with her friends Ray and Ben. But with the outbreak of The Great War, the boys were sent to fight on the frontline. While her weekly letters sent them hope and comfort, Lily wanted to do more, so she became a nurse in a hospital tent on the battlefields. When her village friend Ben was stretchered in, very badly injured, she cared for him night after night until, against all odds, he pulled through.
This is a stunningly illustrated picture book with so many details to pore over. Martin Impey has skilfully conveyed the hardships and brutality of war in a way that is not too overwhelming or distressing for a young child. The story provides a great insight into the contribution women made to the war effort, bringing the experience alive for children.