Tuesday 27 October 2015

Caesar the Anzac dog by Patricia Stroud, illustrated by Bruce Potter

Caesar the Anzac dog by Patricia Stroud, illustrated by Bruce Potter (Harper Collins, 2003)

40 pages with sepia illustrations

Subjects: World War One, France, dogs, animals, mascots, junior fiction (Year 2-6)


Synopsis:
This book is based on the true story of Caesar, which was told to the author, Patricia Stroud, by her mother, Ida. 

Ida (aged four) was in the crowd when Caesar the bulldog, as official mascot, led the Rifle Brigade down Queen St in Auckland to board the ships that would take them to Egypt and the Western Front. As described in the book, Ida donated her blue ribbon for Caesar to wear. She gave it to her uncle Tom who was Caesar’s handler and he tied it onto Caesar’s collar.

Caesar worked during the Battle of the Somme in 1916 as a Red Cross dog. These dogs helped the stretcher-bearers to rescue wounded soldiers at night from No man’s land, the area in-between the trenches of the two opposing sides. They were trained to look for something that belonged to the man, such as a coat or cap, bring that item back to the stretcher bearers and then lead them to the wounded soldier.

Caesar was shot and killed in action. His handler, Tom, was temporarily blinded by mustard gas and sent to hospital in England. He married one of the nurses and they returned home on a hospital ship.

The family history aspect of the story is underlined by the way it is told to three boys, James, Brendon and Michael, who are visiting their great-grandmother (Ida) in the summer holidays. She tells them about the parade, and how her other uncles also went off to war.

The book was reprinted in 2009, with extra content, as Caesar: The True Story of a Canine ANZAC Hero ("A recount of the life of the bulldog that became the official mascot of the 4th Battalion of the NZ Rifle Brigade").


About the author
According to the Harper Collins website: “Patricia Stroud is a mother and grandmother, who has researched the facts behind a much loved family story to record a little-known aspect of New Zealand’s military history. As a volunteer, she spends many hours interviewing war veterans and recording their stories for the oral history archives of her local museum. Patricia and her mother Ida both live in Auckland.”

There is an interview with Patricia in the New Zealand herald, and here she is visiting the children of Botany Downs school

About the illustrator
Bruce Potter (here is his Storylines profile) has illustrated many other books, including The Donkey Man by Glyn Harper, Grandad's Medals by Tracy Duncan, Soldier in the Yellow socks by Janice Marriott and My Grandfather's War by Glyn Harper. (And who knew he is also "an internationally ranked powerlifter"??)

Other books you might like 
The Anzac puppy by Peter Millett and Trish Bowles is an appealing picture book based on the true story of a World War One mascot. The red poppy by David Hill, illustrated by Fifi Colston, tells the story of Nipper the messenger dog. 

Links
This unusual vintage clip shows a French Bulldog working on the Western Front in France in 1917.

The article about Caesar on the NZ History website includes this photograph of his collar (with an incorrect spelling of his name), now held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum (where you can also buy a soft toy Caesar!).


Jack, the New Zealand Engineers' canine mascot in France, World War I
Jack, the New Zealand Engineers' canine mascot in France, World War I. Ref: 1/2-013104-G. Alexander Turnbull Library. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/23171041

Bull, George Robert, 1910-1966 (Photographer) : Maori Battalion soldier and dog Paddy the mascot, Christmas Day, Maadi camp, Egypt
WW2 Maori Battalion soldier and dog Paddy, the mascot, share some pork from the hangi on Christmas Day at Maadi Camp, Egypt; Ref: DA-04880-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22812710

Have you read it?
Have you read this book? Let me know what you think!

82 comments:

  1. Hi Philippa! My name is Izzy and I go to Waikowhai Primary School,
    I like this post about The Caesar story because you describe The book really well!I also had a look at some of your books. Have you written any non Anzac related books? If you have I would really like to read them! In your next blog post maybe you could make your writing a little bit bigger so that people can read it a bit better. I have read the Caesar book and I really liked it! I like the way Patricia describes the story really well. I think the best bit in the story is when Caesar is wearing the blue ribbon and he is on the ship, about to leave. Obviously the saddest moment is when they find Caesar dead!

    Blog you later! -Izzy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Izzy and thanks for your message. I took your advice and made the writing bigger! You can read about my other books here: http://www.philippawerry.co.nz/
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  2. Hi Philippa, my name is Ben and I am in Room 9 from Waikowhai Primary School. I really liked the book Caesar the Anzac Dog. This blog post is perfect for our learning since we are looking at this book a lot. I have read the book with my class and it is amazing and also I love the fact that it is a true story. The storyline is wonderful and extraordinary. It was also really sad because Caesar died, but I did get happy for Tom when he married Kath Butcher.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for posting a comment, Ben! I think you're right, this story is extra special because it is based on a true story. I like the way you describe it: wonderful and extraordinary!
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  3. Hi Philippa Werry i Have Read The Book And I Think It's Pretty sad because Caesar was a very good dog and he got shot but you told it in a Synopsis because it gives information to read the book. i liked the way you told the people to read the book and you included that clip and the link for the soft toy
    Take a look at my blog http://wpsnicholasc.blogspot.co.nz/ blog you later

    I Have Read The Book And I Think It's Pretty sad because Caesar was a very good dog but he died. his handler was very sad as well but at least he was buried next to his friend he would like that so tom buried him there because he knew Caesar would like that

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Nicholas and thanks for your message! I'm glad you liked the information in the synopsis and the different links. Good luck with your blog!
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  4. Hi Philippa Werry, my name is Bruno I’m a student in Room 9 of Waikowhai Primary School. I really liked your blog post about Caesar The ANZAC Dog and it gave a big description about the story. This blogpost is perfect for our learning since we are doing a lot of studying around the book. I have read the book with my class and it is wonderful. I love that this is a true story. The storyline is extraordinary and exciting. I think it was when Caesar died trying to help a wounded soldier, But I was happy when Tom and Kath Butcher got married. If you want to check out my Blog http://wpsbrunoa.blogspot.co.nz/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Bruno and thanks for your comment! You blog looks great and I like your post about Caesar the Anzac dog. You must have learnt a lot from reading the book. I hope you get to see Caesar's collar in the museum soon!
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  5. Blogpost response:Hi there Philippa. I am Joshua from Room 9 at Waikowhai Primary School. My class and I have aslo red Caesar the Anzac Dog it is a really good book don’t you think. But their are some sad bets like how ceaer had to go to war and when he got shot. I liked how caesar found some many wounded soilders. Let me know what you think by replying on my blog here is the link.
    http://wpsjoshuas.blogspot.co.nz/
    Blog you later.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there Philippa. I am Reegan from Room 7 at Waikowhai Primary School. My class and I have also read Caesar the Anzac Dog it is a really good book don’t you think. But their are some sad bets like how Caesar had to go to war and when he got shot. I liked how Caesar found so many wounded soldiers. here is a link to my blog

      http://wpsreeganh.blogspot.co.nz/

      Blog you later

      Delete
    2. Hi Joshua, thanks for sending me a message! I'm glad you liked reading Caesar the Anzac dog. You are right, there are some sad bits, but good books often do have sad bits in them too. I had a quick look at your blog and I liked the background!
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
    3. Hi Reegan, how did your comment end up as a reply to Joshua's comment?? I don't know how that happened!! Anyway thanks for your message and the link to your blog. I'm glad you liked the book about Caesar. You're right that it is a very good book, but sad too.
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  6. Hi I am Sam from Room 9 at Waikowhai Primary School. We have read Caesar The Anzac Dog. We loved it! Awesome work I am hoping to read the book Best Mates and I would also like to read Riding into war. And please visit my blog at http://wpssamuelh.blogspot.co.nz/ thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sam, thanks for your blog comment. Great to hear that you loved reading Caesar the Anzac dog. I think you would enjoy Best mates too, even though it also has some sad bits in it. Good luck with your blog!
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  7. Hi Philippa Werry, my name is Kayci and I am from Waikowhai Primary School. I really love your blog post about Caesar the Anzac dog. I like how you have other Anzac stories that relate to Caesar the Anzac dog. I think it is a really special book to me because of how Caesar went to war and died with the soldiers, for their own country and also for their own lives. I have read this book with my teacher and class. It is a very sad story because Caesar died in action. Other people in my class also think it’s a sad story too. I liked how they worked together to, fight for their freedom and country. I thought that the book was really interesting because I thought it was just a made up story but it was a true story. I didn’t know that Ida (That was the 4 year old girl) was telling the story about Caesar, I thought she was just reading the book to the boys.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kayci, thanks for your message. Caesar the Anzac dog is a very good book and it is clever how it is told as a story to the boys. It is even more special to know that is is true. You have thought about it a lot and I like what you wrote about it in your message.
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  8. Hi my names Lavinia from Waikowhai Primary School. Philippa your post was awesome. Caesar’s collar is cool. I felt that Caesar is really special to the soldiers who died in World War 1 and 2. When you wrote about Caesar on your blog how did you feel? I have read the book and it was wonderful. Patricia Stroud’s book had a lot of detail in it, that book was really interesting. I felt sad but happy that Caesar died, because at least he didn’t die in vain.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lavinia and thanks for posting a comment! I think the collar is very cool too. I felt sad when I was writing about Caesar on my blog because writing about war is often sad, but I also thought (like you) that the soldiers must have been very glad to have a dog like Caesar or the other Red Cross dogs nearby.
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  9. Hi Philippa Werry, my name is Kayci and I am from Waikowhai Primary School. I really love your blog post about Caesar the Anzac dog. I like how you have other Anzac stories that relate to Caesar the Anzac dog. I think it is a really special book to me because of how Caesar went to war and died with the soldiers, for their own country and also for their own lives. I have read this book with my teacher and class. It is a very sad story because Caesar died in action. Other people in my class also think it’s a sad story too. I liked how they worked together to, fight for their freedom and country. I thought that the book was really interesting because I thought it was just a made up story but it was a true story. I didn’t know that Ida (That was the 4 year old girl) was telling the story about Caesar, I thought she was just reading the book to the boys.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Philippa Werry my name is Caitlin from Waikowhai Primary School. Your article about Caesar the Anzac Dog was really good. It was a really book, it was great to hear the exciting story. I really hope to hear another one of her stories from way back in the olden days or another great Anzac story from way back. I want to go and check at the museum to see if I can find the collar. I did read this book it was a great book I loved how they worked hard to fight for their freedom. I felt sorry and sad at the same time for them because of how Tom went blind and how Caesar got shot by a sniper even though Caesar was just trying to help a wounded soldier. Also how there were a lot of wounded soldiers lying on the ground. The way the story was being told to the three boys was cool, I actually forgot that Ida was telling the story to them, I thought she was reliving her life.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Caitlin and thanks for your message. I'm glad you enjoyed reading Caesar the Anzac dog. You sound like you really enjoyed it and thought about it a lot. I hope you get to see the collar at the museum and that you find some other good Anzac stories to read.
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  11. Hello Philippa Werry, My name is Shabeera and I'm from Waikowhai Primary School. I really like your blog post about Caesar the ANZAC dog. It's such a cool story but at the same time really really sad :c Yes, I have read the book before with my whole class. We did lots of activities and questions. What I think about it, I think it has lots and lots of detail and adjectives which I really like about it and the illustrations are beautiful. Here is my learning blog -------> http://wpsshabeeraa.blogspot.co.nz/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Shabeera and thanks for your message. I'm glad you liked this book and the illustrations. Well done on your blog, especially your trench diary and writing about what you did on Anzac Day.
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  12. Hi Philippa I am Alex from Waikowhai Primary School. I liked your response on Caesar the ANZAC dog. Have you done any other responses on other World War One books?

    Yes I have read Caesar the ANZAC dog. It was a really sad book though because Caesar died.Can you check out my blog? http://wpsalexanderw.blogspot.co.nz/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Alex and thanks for you comment! You can find lots of other responses on other World War One books on my blog. Another one you might like is called The Anzac puppy: http://childrenswarbooks.blogspot.co.nz/2014/03/the-anzac-puppy-by-peter-millett-and.html. I had a quick look at your blog too!
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  13. Replies
    1. Philippa Werry said...
      Hi Darlene, thanks for your reply! You have read this book really carefully and remembered a lot of the details. It is very special that Caesar's collar is in the museum and I hope you get to see it some day. (And the soft toy as well)
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  14. Hi Philippa I am Abby from Room 9 at Waikowhai Primary School and I really like your blog. Personally I think your little article on Caesar the Anzac Dog was very informative. All the books that you write about the war and Anzac Day are very cool too. Yes Philippa I have read the book and I thought that it was sad because Caesar died. But it helped me think that not everything has a happy ending.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Abby and thanks for your reply! I'm glad you liked my blog and found it informative. You[re right that not every thing has a happy ending, and books about war can often be very sad.
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete

  15. Hi this is Dora a student from Waikowhai Primary school,
    I really liked your blog post. I can’t wait till I get a chance to read the other books that you suggested. I learned that Patricia Stroud was told the story by her mother. Feel free to check out my learning blog!
    Yes I have read this book. I like how Ida had a very strong liking for the dog. I hope I see more books written about Caesar!
    Blog ya later

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Dora and thanks for posting your message on my blog. I hope you get to read some more good books like this one. I had a look at your blog and it sounded like you had a great time on Anzac Day.
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  16. Hi this is Joyce from Waikowhai Primary School.
    I really enjoyed reading about your blog post. I am looking forward to researching more about Caesar on newspapers etc. I learnt that Patricia Stroud was told the story by her mother Ida who is in the story. I have read the book and I thought it was very interesting and Patriaia told me a whole new story that I never knew of about Anzac Day.
    Please feel free to check out my learning blog @my blog
    See ya later, Joyce.W

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Joyce and thanks for your message. I'm glad you enjoyed reading my blog post. The book about Caesar is such an interesting story. Good luck with your blog; I enjoyed reading your trench diary.
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  17. Hi Philippa. I really liked this post because you described Caeser and what him and the soldiers did. I read the book it was a really good book. I was sad that he died. I also liked how you explained what happened in the book. Like the grandmother telling the story to her grandsons. If you would like to visit my blog just type in this address. wpsconroyc.blogspot.co.nz.

    Blog you later

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Conroy and thanks for your message. I'm glad you liked reading this book, even though it was sad in parts. Good luck with your blog; you have got lost of stuff up on there already!
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  18. Hi my name is Hame from Room 7 at Waikowhai Primary school. my class is talking about the red cross Caesar dog. I really like this book because it is a book that you can remember in world war one but it was sad when Caesar had got shot by a sniper.This is my blog if you would like to comment on it
    http://wpshamep.blogspot.co.nz/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Hame and thanks for posting your comment on my blog. I'm glad you liked reading about Caesar the Anzac dog. I had a look at your blog too and you've got lots of good stuff on there already. I liked your story about scoring the impossible try.
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  19. Hi Philippa my name is Antonio from Waikowhai Primary School. When I was reading your blog post about Caesar the war dog I learnt that the author was a grandmother and a mom, and it’s amazing that you know all this information about Caesar. Why do you blog about the war? Have you read this book? Let me know what you think!
    Yes, I’ve seen the book and I think the book is great but there are some words that I don’t know how to pronounce or I don’t know what it means, but it’s a cool book. And I think your blog post of Caesar is awesome.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Antonio and thanks for your really nice comment! I'm glad you liked the book about Caesar (even with some hard words in it) and my blog post as well. Yes, I have read the book, and I blog about war books because I think they are really interesting, even if they are also sometimes sad or scary.
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  20. Kia ora Philippa.My name is Kieren from Room 7 at Waikowhai primary school.Yesterday we just finished Caesar the anzac dog.It was an emotional story When Caesar got shot,Our teacher Mr Ross was about to cry.It was cool that The three brothers named the dog Caesar.I personally liked how Tom and Kate got married and put a picture of Caesar on their wall.Feel free to look at my blog at
    http://wpskierenm.blogspot.co.nz/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kia ora Kieren, thanks for your message and for telling me the bits you liked best in the book. Thanks also for the link to your blog. I love your Bio poem, it's great. Yes, the story about Caesar is pretty emotional at times. I hope you all looked after your teacher when he was going to cry!!
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  21. Hi my name Sifa. From Waikowhai Primary School. I learnt that the author was a Mother and a Grandmother. I didn't know that Tom was marRied to a nurse when he got blind from the venomous gas. It’s cool that you know lots of stuff about the war. Hi my name Sifa. From Waikowhai Primary School. I learnt that the author was a Mother and a Grandmother. I didn't know that Tom was marRied to a nurse when he got blind from the venomous gas. It’s cool that you know lots of stuff about the war.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sifa and thanks for sending me a message. I'm glad you got to learn some new stuff from reading the book about Caesar. The book has interesting characters in it too, like Tom. Hope you find some more good books to read.
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  22. Hi my name is William from Waikowhai Primary. I really like you explaining the story because it was not so long and in different ways I never heard. I like the book because it shows people what happened in the war. I like this book because it was like you are in it and helping out friends from dying. Yes I have read it. It can tell people what it was like when. How do you like it? please come and see my blog http://wpswilliamg.blogspot.co.nz/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HI William and thanks for sending me a message about my blog post. I'm glad you liked reading it, and you liked the book too. You're right that the book helps you to understand a bit of what it was like in the war. Thanks for your blog; I had a quick look at your google drawing!
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  23. Hello Philippa Werry my name is Saskia from Room Nine in Waikowhai Primary school and I have read the book you gave information about that is called Caesar the ANZAC dog and I am happy to say that I loved reading it and did read it several times over. I also think that you wrote a very accurate synopsis and completely agree with it.


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Saskia, thanks for your message and your nice comments on my blog post! I'm glad you thought it was an accurate synopsis. That's great to hear that you read the book about Caesar more than once. Often you pick up new things when you read a book a second or third time. You sound like a good reader.
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  24. Hi there Philippa, my name is Faidhi from room 7 at Waikowhai Primary School, I really love those books you collected and leading us to tapes and links also the information you sended us, it's really cool. We have read one of those books and it was a really sad story about a dog helping wounded soldiers and had courage to go find soldiers in the night and was the mascot of the 4th battalion (a Company). Check out my blog, it's
    http://wpsfaidhis.blogspot.co.nz/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Faidhi, thanks for your message. I enjoyed hearing about what you've been learning at school. Thank you for the link to your blog too. I had a look and I really liked the Thing Link. I've never seen anything like that before! I especially liked you line about the orange flamey horizon.
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  25. Hi Philippa, I’m Hilary and I think that some of your information is really cool! Our teacher read to us the story and I thought it was really interesting but when Caesar died it was really sad, and I didn’t know that Patricia’s mom was actually Ida and that Ida is a real person! I didn’t know that the parts where the two boys, their dog and their mom were real parts of the story either! Please check out my blog, it's wpshilaryg.blogspot.co.nz. I hope you will make some more posts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kia ora Hilary and thanks for your message. I'm glad you liked finding out the information on my blog post. It is pretty cool that there are real people in the story too. Thanks for the link to your blog. I had a quick look and I really liked your Fatu Feu'u inspired art.
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  26. Hi Philippa my names Jasmine I'm from Waikowhai Primary School. I liked your blog, it’s really cool. I liked your book review as well. I I liked the cover on your books. My favourite cover is the Best Mates. I like the picture of Caesar that you put on.Yes i have read the book it really sad that Caesar died. I know that there not a happy ending in every ending .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jasmine and thanks for posting a comment! I'm glad you liked the book review and it's extra nice to hear that you like the book covers too. The cover of Best mates is one of my favourites. It's painted by an amazing artist called Bob Kerr. Yes, the book about Caesar is sad in parts, and it's true that not all books can have happy endings.
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  27. Hi there, my name is Faidhi from Waikowhai Primary School, I really love how you collected those books. Also the tapes and information that you gave us, it's really cool. we have red 2 of those books, Caeser the ANZAC dog and dawn parade. My favourite was Caeser the Anzac dog, it's a really sad story. It was a dog that was trained to pick up wounded soldiers and showing the nurses to heal. He had the courage to do that at night. Check out my blog, it's http://wpsfaidhis.blogspot.co.nz/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kia ora Faidhi, I think you sent me two messages, so I am extra lucky! And it's nice to hear that you have read Dawn parade as well.
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  28. Hi Philippa. My name is Dazharn in Room 7 at Waikowhai Primary School. Me and my class were all happy to read this book because we thought it was going to be interesting and it was the best story of this term that we read.Did you know why I liked this story because it was based on a true story and Caesar saved our troops that tried to save our country. If you would like to visit my blog just type in
    wpsdazharnr.blogspot.co.nz.

    Blog you later.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Dazharn, thanks for your comment on my blog post. I'm glad to hear that you all enjoyed reading Caesar the Anzac dog so much. You must have liked it a lot if it was the best book you read all term!! I also like reading stories that are based on true stories. I had a look at your blog and I really liked your story starter, especially the stuck up lady polishing diamonds with her smelly hairy armpits. (Euw!!!)
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  29. Hi there Philippa, my name is Serene and I am a student in room 7 at Waikowhai Primary School. I really liked the blogpost about Caesar the ANZAC dog. You really gave me lots of facts about him. Me and my class have read this book. I really enjoyed it but it was very sad when Caesar got killed. Caesar was an amazing dog because he helped save lots people in the war. If you would like to see my blog, it is at http://wpsserenec.blogspot.co.nz/ Blog ya later! 😄

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kia ora Serene and thanks for your message. I'm glad you enjoyed this blog post and finding out lots of facts about Caesar. He was a pretty amazing dog. Thank you for the link to your blog. I had a quick look and I liked all your story starters,especially the one about the horrible disgusting pancakes! I hope your Mum doesn't make those for breakfast this weekend.
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  30. Hello Phillipa, My name is Claire, I go to Waikowhai primary school and I really like your summary about the book Ceaser. My classroom also red this book and we all loved it so much, it was really interesting and a good book to read for a whole classroom.I especially love the way you described the story horrifically in your own words. If you would like to visit my blog you can visit it @ http://wpsclairew.blogspot.co.nz/ please feel free to comment on my blog. Blog ya’ll later From claire :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kia ora Claire and thanks for your message. I'm glad you liked my summary and that your class all liked the book. "Horrifically" is a great word. I am going to try and use it sometime. Thank you for the link to your blog. I had a quick look and I thought your story starter was pretty horrific too! I hope it has a good ending.
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  31. Hi Philippa! My name is Nevaeh from Waikowhai Primary School, I love your post you put up about Caesar the Anzac dog.I like how you told us about Caesar and put a lot of detail words. Also how you told us about how it's a true story. I hope you’ve written more books like this if you have I can't wait to read them over and over again. Like what I've already done with Caesar the Anzac dog. I was really happy for tom and Kathy but Caesar died so it was sad and happy at the same time. Please feel free to comment on my blog http://wpsnevaeh.blogspot.co.nz/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Nevaeh and thanks for your message. I'm glad you liked my blog post. You're right that the book about Caesar, Tom and Kathy is both a happy and a sad story. It's great to see all the work you are doing on your blog.
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  32. Blogpost response: Hi there Philippa, my name is Karl and I am from Waikowhai Primary School Room 7. When I read the book Caesar the anzac dog I think it was great! I appreciated the pages 5-21. I liked the *explosion* Caesar the anzac book. Can’t say anything else about this expect “An international ranked powerlifter???”. Check out my blog http://wpskarl.blogspot.co.nz/

    See you sometime :¬)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kia ora Karl and thanks for your message. I'm glad you enjoyed reading the book about Caesar. Ha ha you have read my blog carefully too because you're the only person so far who has mentioned the "internationally ranked powerlifter"! Good luck with your blog. (The address you gave me isn't quite right but I managed to find it anyway).
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  33. Hi Philippa!My name is Skye and I go to Waikowhai Primary School. I think you worked really hard to write the Caesar book and I really loved your book.Can you tell me more about you because I would loved to see more of your other books too.Hope you respond to me,fingers crossed!Please look at my blog at http://wpsskye.blogspot.co.nz/
    Blog you later-Skye!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Skye and thanks for your message. I did write this blog post, but I didn't write the book about Caesar. But I did work hard to write some of my other books!! Here are three random things about me: I like swimming, my favourite colour is purple and I have been to Antarctica. I also liked the story about twisted ankles on your blog!
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  34. Hi Philippa, my name is Sylvia from Waikowhai primary school. I really like the post about Caeser The Anzac Dog and all information you write about the story, I was so surprised how good you’ve described the book, I love all the pictures you posted and Caeser was so cute.
    I’ve read the book and it so sad at the end when Caeser died. What is your favourite part in the book?
    come check out my blog on http://wpssylviah.blogspot.co.nz/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sylvia and thanks for your message. I'm glad you liked this post and all the pictures. I'ts hard to chose a favourite part of the book! Maybe when they get married? What is your favourite part?
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry
      (PS the story starter on your blog is pretty scary!!!)

      Delete
  35. Hi Philippa , I’m Nethya from Waikowhai Primary School.. I really like the books you have written. I found it really sad. When they found that Caesar was shot dead.But it was very happy when Tom and Kath got married. The books you write are amazing. Could you come and check out my blog at http://wpsnethyaw.blogspot.co.nz/ Blog you later.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kia ora Nethya, thanks for checking out my blog and your nice words about my books. I have just checked out your blog as well! I learned lots of stuff I didn't know about You Tube. Hope you had a good weekend (maybe watching You Tube!)
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  36. Hi there, my name is Joshua and I am a year six student in room Seven at Waikowhai Primary School. I loved reading the Anzac Caesar book and everyone enjoyed it too. I felt sad when Caesar died. I wish I had a dog just like Caesar and just as smart. If you would like to see my learning, my blog is http://wpsjoshuac.blogspot.co.nz/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HI Joshua and thanks for your message on my blog. I just had a quick look at your blog too and learned some cool facts about soccer! I'm glad you liked reading about Caesar. You're right, it would be great to have a dog as smart as him.
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  37. Hi philippa. i really like how you told us about Caeser and how there was a bright moon and then Ceaser tried to help the wounded soldiers.if you have time then come and check out my blog at wpsbilalc.blogspot.co.nz

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Bilal and thanks for posting a message on my blog. I had a quick look at your blog too and I liked your big welcome banner. I'm glad you liked the story about Caesar and how he helped the wounded soldiers.
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  38. :Hi Philippa My name is Shiya and I go to Waikowhai primary school.I hope you go on room sevens blog tell me all about you. I hope you can make another book.It was really smart that you got the real picture of the dog.BLOG YOU LATER !!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kia ora Shiya, and thanks for your message. I'm glad you liked the picture of the dog on my blog post, and I hope you have fun blogging as well.
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  39. Hi Phillipa. I really like this post because you described how Caesar was like when he was at war and when he died and i will miss the good looking guy and he was and out standing little pup . if you would like to come check out my bog at http:// Maneaw2018@waikowhai.school.nz blog you later

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Manea and thanks for your message. I'm glad you liked my blog post. I had a quick look at your blog and I liked your creative writing and the picture of your grumpy teacher (does he really look like that???)
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete
  40. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Shalom Phillipa Werry,
    My name is Jerry R from Waikowhai Primary school.I have read parts of this book because we as a class read 'Caesar the Anzac dog' as part of shared reading. I really liked how you described Caesar.When I first read Caesar the Anzac Dog it reminded me of my cousins dog,but my Cousins dog is a girl German shepherd cross Labrador. I still wish I had a dog.
    Yours Sincerely,Jerry R

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jerry and thanks for leaving a comment on my blog post. I hope you enjoyed reading Caesar the Anzac Dog. Maybe you will have a dog one day! (Would you call it Caesar?)
      best wishes
      Philippa Werry

      Delete