With the bicentenary of the War of 1812 approaching, we’ve got a frenzy of picture books about Laura Secord.Last year saw Laura Secord’s Brave Walk (Second Story Press) and Laura: A Childhood Tale of Laura Secord (Scholastic Canada). A round of applause for the latest Laura, by Janet Lunn, which gives readers an excellent story and the broadest appreciation for the time period.

Lunn portrays Laura Secord as a gentle, shy woman who did not think of herself as brave. From the start, readers are intrigued by the character the much-awarded Lunn creates. How could such an ordinary person have walked 20 miles through dangerous territory to warn soldiers of an American attack? Lunn gives interesting details about Secord’s life and family, having Laura begin her journey on the pretext that she is going to visit her brother. Details like the description of Queenston Heights as a “small, steep hill” certainly help readers understand the events of the war. A map and epilogue enhance this realistic approach.

On her journey a fatigued Laura fuzzily contemplates her torn dress thinking that it might be inappropriate for meeting Lieutenant FitzGibbon. Lunn writes delightfully that “a tiny burst of laughter bubbled up inside her.” This vitality is portrayed by West Coast artist Maxwell Newhouse, whose naive style of folk art lends itself well to the tale. Laura’s blue-and-white check dress vividly portrays a spunky woman. The bright red blood on her slipperless feet captures the drama of her ordeal. A fitting tribute to a determined woman, this book inspires readers to hope that each of us, if called upon, could be so noble.