Vlad and the First World War (A Flea in History) - Couverture souple

Cunningham, Kate

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 1913338266 ISBN 13 : 9781913338268

Editeur : Reading Riddle, 2026

Synopsis

In 1918 as the First World War dragged on, one crucial animal was responsible for carrying messages and saving lives.

Our narrator Vlad Flea and his friend Crisp VC the carrier pigeon are about to risk their lives taking secret messages over enemy lines. It is not the first time they have flown the dangerous journey and it probably won’t be the last. Along the way they will encounter the Australian doctor Phoebe Chapple, 2nd Lieutenant Walter Tull, the Indian Cavalry and encounter the Red Baron. As they take in the zeppelins, zigzag ships and armed fishing boats, they see some of the breadth of the war and the people caught up in it. Vlad and the First World War is a beautifully hand-illustrated story that transforms museum artefacts, memoirs and historical documents into a story.

Do you want to know how carrier pigeons saved lives?

Research shows that stories are many times more memorable than cold facts, which is why we created the Flea in History series, so children learn history through stories.

Each book is meticulously researched and show how pigeons were transported, and returned, as well as how many ways people were involved. In Vlad and the First World War the story features the different branches of the forces as well as the many nationalities and roles they undertook, such as the Chinese Labour Corps as stretcher-bearers. It includes the battles at sea between fishing boats armed to fend off German u-boats, batalions made up of groups such as footballers, and the fledgling fighters in the sky that would become the RAF after the war. It throws a light on the bigger picture at the Western Front rather than focussing on the trenches. All the information, including the individuals featured, is based on the true events at this crucial time.

Vlad and the First World War is a story that can be read repeatedly revealing layers of information and providing a resource for learning about history and how we research it. As with all Vlad Flea books it is a perfect springboard for extending knowledge about the many people mentioned in the story, but also extending work into other topics such as literacy, art and beliefs. Learning materials for parents and teachers can be found on the Reading Riddle website.

The book finishes with a fact file that includes information about the history and research behind the story and more information about key people that Vlad meets during the tale.

A propos du livre

À propos de l'auteur

Kate is a primary school teacher and author of the Vlad flea books. She now researches and writes this series of history stories, combining fact with action from the perspective of her cheeky protagonist. The Vlad books are a collaboration between Kate and her eldest illustrator son, Sam Cunningham.Kate produces teaching resources linked to the books which are available for free on the Reading Riddle website. When she is not writing she visits schools and libraries around the UK sharing the stories and research behind the books.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Reading Riddle
• Date d'édition: 2026
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 1913338266
• ISBN 13: 9781913338268
• Reliure: Tapa blanda
• Illustrateur: Cunningham Sam
• Numéro d'édition: 2
• Nombre de pages: 32
• Coordonnées du fabricant: Manufactured by Amazon on behalf of the author; https://www.amazon.es/hz/contact-us; ; c/o Amazon Media EU S.à.r.l., 38 Avenue John F. Kennedy; Luxembourg; L-1855; Luxembourg