Books about the second world war for very young children?

[FlamingoBingo]

DD1 (6 and very mature) is very interested in the second world war, as is her younger sister (nearly 5). They've been watching the 1940s house on dvd.

I'm trying to think of a good accurate story based in the second world war that I could read them, but I'm guessing most will be beyond their stamina and, in some cases, won't be appropriate in terms of content either!

Can anyone recommend anything, or 'review' some books in terms of the ages of their children when they read them.

Carrie's War?
Fireweed? (I think that's much too old, isn't it?)

Any other suggestions?

[sleepwhenidie]

Its not a story about the war as such, but The Lion and the Unicorn, by Shirley Hughes, is a beautiful children's book about a little boy whose dad went to fight in the 2nd WW and he was evacuated from London to countryside. I bought it for DS but have shelved it for a while (he is just 4) for fear of giving him nightmares about bombs on London (we live there) and being sent away from us all etc!

[tvaerialmagpiebin]

We used to watch "How theyused to live" at school. It was a drama of life in different historical times. Maybe you can get it on youtube? or there were boks of it, which you might get in a library?

[FlamingoBingo]

That sounds good, sleep - thank you. I'll look it out.

Lanky - it's books specifically I wanted, but thank you - I will look at that too as I expect it would interest my children.

Any more suggestions?

[LIZS]

dd 's class(yr 4) looked at Roger's War recently

[FlamingoBingo]

I'll have a look at that, thanks Liz.

What is the best age for a book like When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit?

[LIZS]

10+ I think . There is the Machine Gunners and Silver Sword too , but again neither really for under 10+s. ds (11) recently read I am David. Usborne do this but may be too sinister for younegr kids.

[LadyGlencoraPalliser]

DD2 aged 9 has just read When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit and thoroughly enjoyed it. I think perhaps six might be a little young. She has read a lot of WWII-related stuff, but mostly more suited to age eight and over - for example Goodnight Mr Tom and Carrie's War are both a bit much for a six year old. She has just read The Silver Sword as well - and Anne Frank's Diary of a Young Girl, which is definitely unsuitable for a six year old.
I'm really struggling here to think of one of the books she has read that I would have been happy for her to read at six - When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit is probably the gentlest I think. Will have another think and a scan of her bookshelves. She is a history fiend and her bookshelves reflect that so I might find something good there!

[iheartdusty]

I have just been raving about the Scholastic book site on another thread, and spotted this and this while I was on it.

[FlamingoBingo]

Thanks, LadyGlencora - that is really helpful

iheartdusty - thank you for those links - reminded me to ring up the library and book a crate of books for the library services for education, which they extend to home educators. Can't believe I hadn't thought of it!

We've decided to take them down to the imperial war museum soon, as they have an exhibition of what the war was like for children, and they're interested in the bombs and planes so will enjoy the day I think.

[LadyGlencoraPalliser]

Useful link for you.

This one sounds particularly good.
Number the Stars, by Lois Lowry
Lowry's Newberry-medal winner chronicles the activities of a non-Jewish Danish family under Nazi occupation, helping their Jewish friends to escape. The story is written from a child's perspective and, without being trite, is less bleak than many novels of similar subject matter.