A Bear in War, Stephanie Innes; Harry Endrulat; Brian Deines (illustrator). Published by Key Porter Books, Toronto, 2008. First Edition. 4to up to 12″ tall; 40pp. illustrated throughout with original art work, sepia photos, old letters, documents and medals etc. Illustrated boards with brown endpapers. Both volume and unclipped jacket are in fine, unread, unmarked condition.
Teddy belonged to ten-year-old Aileen Rogers, whose father Lawrence left Aileen, her little brother Howard, and his wife Janet home on the family farm in Quebec when he went to war. Janet and Lawrence exchanged more than 200 letters during his service. Aileen and Howard also wrote their dad and Aileen sent her beloved Teddy overseas to help protect him. Sadly, Lawrence died at the battle of Passchendaele. In 2002, his granddaughter Roberta Innes found Teddy and the letters in an old family briefcase. Her findings uncovered how a Canadian family’s strength was tested by war and how a small stuffed bear became an enduring memento of their love. Sensitive text by Harry Endrulat and Roberta’s daughter Stephanie, and Brian Deines’ lovely illustrations bring this unusual story of love and war to life.
