The focus of this blog is Leonbergers but sometimes I post about books that are not about Leonbergers but that are books that I want to promote. I recently read a gripping book about life in England during World War II called “While the Bombs Fell” by Robbie Cheadle and Elsie Hancy Eaton. It is a book that is easy to read and appropriate for older children, young adults and adults alike. I bought the book on Amazon, I loved the book and I wrote a review for it.
As far as I know it exists only as a paperback on Amazon. Publisher : TSL Publications (August 3, 2018), ISBN-10 : 1912416433, ISBN-13 : 978-1912416431, 100 pages, Item Weight : 4.5 ounces, Dimensions : 5.83 x 0.23 x 8.27 inches, it cost $16.14 on US Amazon. Click here to order it from Amazon.com.
Amazon’s Description of While the Bombs Fell
What was it like for children growing up in rural Suffolk during World War 2? Elsie and her family live in a small double-storey cottage in Bungay, Suffolk. Every night she lies awake listening anxiously for the sound of the German bomber planes. Often they come and the air raid siren sounds signalling that the family must leave their beds and venture out to the air raid shelter in the garden. Despite the war raging across the English channel, daily life continues with its highlights, such as Christmas and the traditional Boxing Day fox hunt, and its wary moments when Elsie learns the stories of Jack Frost and the ghostly and terrifying Black Shuck that haunts the coastline and countryside of East Anglia. Includes some authentic World War 2 recipes.
This is my five star review of the book “While the Bombs Fell” by Robbie Cheadle and Elsie Hancy Eaton.
It is a short, gripping, beautifully written and easy to read book about the experiences of a little girl growing up in England during World War II.
The Life of little Elsie during World War II
This book tells the story of little Elise who lives with her family on a small farm in Bungay, Suffolk, England during World War II. Food and other products are rationed, there are shortages, lack of heating and electricity, and people struggle economically. At the same time the bombs are falling and there’s always the fear that you will be hit. The book tells us about the fear, about family life, the human connections, the animals, the daily life and various holiday celebrations, all from the perspective of a child. The book reads more like memoir than a novel, but it feels very real.
I grew up in Sweden, live in the US, and that is what I know. Therefore, I did not know much about the culture and how people live, or rather used to live, in WWII England. Therefore, by reading this book, I learned a lot about England, or the England of the past. It is obvious that the author is intimately familiar with past English culture and how it was living in England during this time. Elsie’s world was very different from what I know, and the times were very difficult, and you saw it all through Elsie’s eyes. Therefore, the book is very engaging. It is a reminder that life was very challenging for a lot of people during World War II.
I also really enjoyed reading about what they ate, the recipes, and the rose hips, the rosehip jam, and there were recipes at the end of the book. In Sweden rosehip and rosehip soup was a healthy staple food so I definitely recognized that. I remember rosehip soup with fondness. This book brings you into another world, it is very engaging, interesting, and eye opening, as well as an easy read. I highly recommend this beautiful little book.
About Robbie Cheadle
I don’t have any information about Elsie Hancy Eaton. However, below is the information about Robbie Cheadle.
South African author, photographer, and artist, Robbie Cheadle, has written and illustrated seventeen children’s books, illustrated a further three children’s books, and written and illustrated four poetry books. Her work has also appeared in poetry and short story anthologies.
Robbie also has two novels and a collection of short stories published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.
Robbie’s blog includes recipes, fondant and cake artwork, poetry, and book reviews.
Click here to visit is her Goodreads page
Click here to visit her TSL Publications Page.
Click here to visit is her Twitter account.
Click here to visit is her Facebook account.
These are her published books on Amazon.
My Other Reviews for Robbie Cheadle’s Books
- Lion Scream by Robbie Cheadle
- Square Peg in a Round Hole: Poetry, Art & Creativity by Robbie Cheadle and Michael Cheadle
- Neema the Misfit Giraffe by Robbie Cheadle
- And the Grave Awaits by Roberta Eaton Cheadle
- Burning Butterflies by Roberta Eaton Cheadle
Leonberger Life 
I remember enjoying this book a few years ago. I love that Robbie and her mom collaborated on this project. I’m sure that made it all the more special for the two of them.
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Thank you Pete. Yes you are right. That makes it special.
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Thank you very much for the review, Thomas.
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Thank you so much Lynette
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