Retelling a story from her mother's childhood in rural Germany during WWII, Barker writes a fictional memoir from 7-year-old Gerda's point of view. In 1944, three captured French men are sent to work on the farm where she lives with her mother and four older siblings while their father is away at war. Despite the language barrier, Gerda's family is kind to their "borrowed" workers, who live in an outbuilding near the pigs. Even after authorities warn her mother to treat the men as prisoners or risk imprisonment, the family finds ways to show appreciation for the Frenchmen's work. When the war ends, they depart as friends. Created using watercolor, colored pencil, and pastel, the artwork conveys a sense of comfort and kindliness with warm, harmonious colors, rounded forms, and soft shading. In an appended note, Barker comments on her mother's childhood, her recollections of the French POWs, and her later immigration to Canada. This handsome picture book offers a rare glimpse of life on the home front in WWII Germany.

Three French prisoners of war arrive to work on seven-year-old Gerda's family farm. The story, based on Barker's mother's childhood in WWII Germany, is told in simple, conversational phrases. Benoit's illustrations combine precise details with softness and warmth that convey the tenderness of memory. The book raises interesting questions, such as the complicated idea of who is an "enemy." A closing note and photographs included.

Gr 1-3 Based on a true story, this precious gem evokes compassion in a way that is sure to resonate with young audiences. Told from the perspective of seven-year-old Gerda, the tale explores the warmth that can exist among individuals whose countries are at war with one another. Gerda's "borrowed men" are three French prisoners of war during World War II. The men have been sent to work on her family's farm in Germany at the same time that her father has been sent into battle. The generosity and human kindness shown by Gerda's familyespecially by the little girl herselfare contrasted with the cold, punishing actions of the village policeman, Herr Mohlen. On a particularly cold night, Gerda's mother invites the French POWs (who normally eat, sleep, and live in the pig kitchen, where meals for the pigs are prepared) inside for dinner. The next day, Herr Mohlen "borrows" Gerda's mother and threatens her with prison. The child narrates that a neighbor must have seen them (the author's note explains the promotion and practice of neighbors spying on one another). But friendly bonds are formed in spite of the formidable authorities, and when the war is over, Gerda is just as sad to say goodbye to her amis as they are to leave their little freunde . The concept of "borrowing" in wartimefirst introduced by Gerda's mother when explaining the sudden appearance of the French POWs ("She said we were just borrowing the French men") and peppered throughout the textis sure to spark conversation about the so-called rules of war, especially with the reveal in the author's note that Gerda's father (also referred to as "borrowed") and, later, her brother Franz die in combat. Photos preceding and following the text document what Gerda, her family, and the farm looked like. Illustrations done in watercolor and colored pencil, with a touch of pastel, create a beautiful backdrop that darkens and lightens with the tone of the narrative.