Promotion

Once Upon a Wartime: Classic War Stories for Children – Imperial War Museum London

publication date: Feb 12, 2011
Silver SwordThrough stunning life-size sets, intricate scale models and interactive exhibits, families are invited to enter the imaginary worlds of five classic war stories: War Horse by Michael Morpurgo, Carrie’s War by Nina Bawden, The Silver Sword by Ian Serraillier, The Machine Gunners by Robert Westall and Little Soldier by Bernard Ashley.

From the bleak landscape of no man's land in War Horse to the imposing tower blocks of London's gang warfare in Little Soldier, Once Upon A Wartime will take visitors on a journey through conflicts from the First World War to the present day.

Carrie's War

 

Pull up a chair in Hepzibah's kitchen as the evacuees would have done in Carrie's War, discover the schoolboys' secret fortress from The Machine Gunners and listen to the footsteps above the cellar where the Balicki children find shelter in The Silver Sword. By immersing visitors in the stories,


Once Upon A Wartime aims to illuminate the experience of war through a child's eyes. As well as the exhibition's five central books, adults and children will fall in love with favourites including Goodnight Mister Tom, Refugee Boy and When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit.

The exhibition explores the themes of loyalty, separation, excitement, survival and identity throughout the books then goes behind the scenes of each lead story, explaining the authors' inspiration through interesting and sometimes unseen items including manuscripts, early sketches, interviews and photographs.

Once Upon A Wartime also offers all-important historical context through expert interpretation and genuine examples of relevant objects including evacuee labels and letters, aircraft recognition cards and a tail fin from a German incendiary bomb.  

The exhibition runs until 30 October, 2011.

Admission: adults £5.95, children £3.95, family ticket from £12.50.