Henry B Fanshaw (B is for Bear of course) is the mascot for the No. 75 Squadron of the Royal New Zealand Airforce (RNZAF). Now retired and enjoying life in the Air Force Museum of NZ in Christchurch, Henry has time to wander down memory lane. He loves to share his adventures in foreign lands and in the skies through the second world war.

There was much training to be had before any missions, and it was 1939 when a group of kiwi men arrived in England. They were there to collect planes and fly them home but quickly got swept up in the newly declared WWII. They don’t see home again until the end of the war!

As German forces bombard London with thousands of bombs (The Blitz), many squadrons including No. 75 RNZAF bombed key targets in Europe in counterattack. These missions were incredibly dangerous and one of their squad even receives a Victoria Cross Medal for his outstanding bravery.

More bravery and missions are remembered by Henry B until the end of the war.

This sophisticated picture book is a much needed window for children into a not well known part of World War II.

The muted illustrations depicting this time in our history include speech bubbles from the public, the press, the squadron themselves and even Winston Churchill himself. Short comic strip sections also bring this story alive on the page.

In the rear of the book, there is more info about the planes, key squad members and missions, the Victoria Cross and more.

Perfect for 7+ and an excellent addition to New Zealand’s collection of Anzac titles for children and teens. 

Author – Gillian Torckler

Illustrator – Adele Jackson

Age – 7+

(2021, Bateman, Bear, Mascot, War, Second World War, WWII, Bombers, Planes, The Blitz, Victoria Cross, Courage, Bravery, Team, Anzac, Germany, London)