Dreaming Soldiers is a deeply moving picture book that honours service, friendship and memory, while offering children a gentle and accessible way to engage with Australian history.

Set against the vast landscapes of Outback South Australia and the distant battlefields of World War I, the story follows two young friends, Jimmy and Johnno, whose bond is forged in childhood and carried with them into adulthood and war.

From its opening pages, Dreaming Soldiers is grounded in mateship and belonging. Jimmy and Johnno grow up side by side on a cattle station, sharing work, play and Dreaming stories that connect them to land, culture and each other. Their friendship is depicted with warmth and simplicity, allowing young readers to understand the depth of their connection long before the story turns towards conflict. When war breaks out, both boys enlist, and their journey takes them far from home to the Western Front, where courage, loyalty and loss are tested in unimaginable ways.

What sets Dreaming Soldiers apart is its careful balance of honesty and tenderness. Catherine Bauer does not shy away from the reality of war, but she frames it through a child-sensitive lens that prioritises emotional truth over graphic detail. The story acknowledges fear, separation and sacrifice, while also offering reassurance through themes of remembrance, dreaming and enduring connection. The inclusion of Dreaming provides a powerful narrative bridge between past and present, life and memory, reinforcing that those we lose remain with us in stories, spirit and love.

The book also plays an important role in highlighting the contribution of First Nations soldiers, whose service has too often been overlooked. By centring a friendship that spans cultures, Dreaming Soldiers quietly but firmly affirms shared humanity and respect. This makes the book not only a story of war, but a story of unity, reconciliation and recognition. Illustrated with sensitivity and atmosphere, the visuals complement the text beautifully, evoking both the warmth of home and the stark distance of war. 

Together, words and images create space for reflection, discussion and emotional connection, making the book particularly valuable in classrooms, libraries and family settings.

Dreaming Soldiers was recognised with a Best Book for Aboriginal Children at the 2019 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Award, acknowledging its outstanding contribution to children’s communication and literacy. This award highlights the book’s clear, engaging language, emotional accessibility and capacity to support conversations about complex topics such as grief, history and remembrance. It confirms the book’s value not only as a literary work, but as a meaningful educational resource. 

Ultimately, Dreaming Soldiers is a tribute to friendship, to service, and to the stories that keep memories alive. 

It is a book that invites children to listen, remember and honour the past, while offering comfort, hope and understanding that lingers long after the final page.