Recent Reads: Rosie: Stronger than Steel by Lindsay Ward

Rosie: Stronger than Steel by Lindsay Ward

Publisher: Two Lions
Publication Date:  April 1, 2020

 

Format: Ebook
Source: Own

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

A brave tractor farms for freedom in a story inspired by women who acted with courage and strength in American factories and on British farms during World War II.

This is our Rosie,

stronger than steel.

She’ll plow all the land

with a turn of her wheel.

Built by women in the United States and sent to England to dig and plow alongside female farmers during World War II, Rosie the tractor does whatever is needed to support the war effort. She works day and night to help grow crops for the troops…even when she has to hide in the fields. This is because she knows, like the women who built her and the women who farm with her, that they all must do their part.

Inspired by the group of American women collectively known as “Rosie the Riveter” and the British Women’s Land Army, this is a story about taking action and coming together for the greater good.

Review: 

Keeping my review fairly short, like I do with most children's books so that I don't retell the whole thing.

Rosie is a "work of fiction set against a historical background" (authors note). It is told from the POV of a wartime tractor named Rosie. During WWII the US sent women-built tractors to help England farm for the soldiers. This historical, but whimsical tale is so cute and fun as well as educational. 

Rosie is so upbeat and happy about her role in helping produce for the wartime efforts. The book has fun and bright illustrations that are not common of  war-themed books, so it is a refreshing perspective.  

I enjoyed this one, it include Rosie's story as well as a few pages of Author Note for the adult readers about the history behind the tale. I enjoyed that I learned a lot and it is also a good way to teach younger generations about the war and the impacts women had on it. I did not really know anything about the Land Army before going into this one, so it is a great discussion starter for those that would like to learn more about the war efforts in a way that is fun and non-violent.