The war is over! Bands march down the streets. People cheer from the footpaths. Others wave flags in celebration. Rita, Thomas and their mum wave too, especially when they realise the band is playing Dad’s favourite song.

Dad has been far away, fighting in the war, and singing his song has helped keep their spirits up on their long wait to see him again. Now he will soon be home.

Dad returns, but he isn’t who Rita remembered. Thomas is confused and Mum is worried. Rita reaches out to her Dad with a treasured memory, and slowly but surely they help Dad find his way back to them.

This family’s journey from joy to worry and back again is simple and gently sombre. The muted colour illustrations show kindness, formality, and children’s past times from 1918. The most important aspect of this story is the mental illness that also came home.

At the time, returning soldier’s shell shock (now known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD) was largely misunderstood, and families had to cope with their ‘changed’ men as best they could. Released on the centenary of Armistice Day, When Dad Came Home highlights this illness with the respect it deserves.

Author – Vanessa Hatley-Owen

Illustrator – Rosie Colligan

Age – 6+

(WWII, World War II, Shell shock, Family, Grief, NZ, Hope, Love)