Rachel's War by Mark Wilson

The story of an Australian WWI nurse

"This story was inspired by the true story of Rachel Pratt, an Australian army nurse serving in France during World War I who was awarded the Military medal 'for service above and beyond the call of duty during an air raid on 4 July, 1917."

As with all Mark Wilson books it is clear the text and illustrations in this book have been meticulously researched. You can feel his passion about the importance of sharing this story. Rachel’s story is told gently but realistically, and evokes a sense of hope amidst the horrors of war. There is just enough information to teach and entertain without being overly distressing. 

"Rachel remembered her mother's words about being strong and working hard. She ... dreamed of one day being able to help people."

"Rachel and Elise not only treated soldiers coming in from the desert with battle wounds, but also typhoid fever and influenza. Some even had gangrene from frostbite, which often ended in amputation."

"Bombs exploded, one after the other. Then with a mighty crash, one exploded right behind Rachel."

In this book I appreciated the moral compass which Mark communicates when we read about Rachel’s reaction to the young Turkish soldiers.  The splashes of poppies on the end papers are both pretty but also perhaps echo the splashes of blood seen by the nurses on the battlefield. The page near the end where it seems that Rachel may have been killed was so powerful.  I was enormously relieved to read on and discover she survived – this shows that as a reader I was deeply invested into this emotional text.  

It is good to have the addition of the two fact pages at the end of the book but in addition to this, it would have been good to have a list of picture credits and a list of references for further reading which I think Mark has included with some of his other books. The cover is striking and shows the compassion of the nurse while behind her we see the exotic places she has travelled to (the pyramids) and the grim reality of marching soldiers. Every part of the design used in this book has been created with enormous care. 

Exquisite illustrations by the author, Mark Wilson, allow our hearts to be moved by the descriptive images – some in colour, others in black fine line pen. Kids' Book Review

Rachel’s War is one of the books that contributes to this history and the hidden stories, allowing them to come to life. The Book Muse

Wilson shows in both words and pictures, the hardships which confronted the nurses: shortages of basic equipment, food and sanitation as well as staff. Rachel and Elsie manage some incidental sightseeing in Egypt before being transferred to France but continue treating men with battle wounds and more complex health issues. Each of the girls suffers physical and mental traumas, including Rachel herself being wounded after a German bombing raid. Reading Time

Here are a small selection of picture books by Mark Wilson - all highly recommended:

His newest book will be released later this year:

Rachel's War is a 2022 CBCA Book of the Year Notables : Eve Pownall Award

Take a look at my previous post where I talk about another book that celebrates to role of nurses during war - The Flying Angel by Vicki Bennett illustrated by Tull Suwannakit.