Sharing a war story and gratitude of the Dutch with younger generations

Sunny South News Photo Submitted. Picture Butte children’s author Julia Sinke, left and her daughter, Taber artist, Abigayle Rozendaal, right, hold copies of ‘Canada and the Netherlands: A World War II Story’, a new children’s book expected to be available for pre-order in mid-March. Sinke and her daughter will be traveling to the Netherlands this spring for the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands, which took place May 5, 1945.

• Picture Butte author writes children’s book about the liberation of Holland

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

The date of May 5, 1945 is a day many in the Netherlands and in Canada won’t soon forget, and now thanks to a new children’s book, many future generations in both countries will learn about the ultimate sacrifice of Canadian soldiers and the gratitude of the Dutch people, during the Second World War. 

‘Canada and the Netherlands: A World War II Story’ is a book written by local children’s author Julia Sinke from Picture Butte. It’s a story about a Dutch princess born in Canada during the war, the deep friendship between Canada and the Netherlands and the special gift of tulips Canada receives from the Dutch each year as a show of gratitude for Canada’s heroic role in in the liberation of the Netherlands in 1945. 

“If we’re going to keep the history alive and honour our veterans, many of whom are no longer with us, we need to pass it onto the next generation in both countries,” said Sinke, noting she plans to share the book overseas and across Canada. “My goal is that children in both countries do not forget the cost of freedom and (they) celebrate the special bond between Canada and the Netherlands. It’s a beautiful story.”   

The project is Sinke’s third children’s book but the first about the Second World War. It includes both English and Dutch translation and was written to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Netherland’s liberation by Canadian soldiers, which takes place this May.  Sinke is a Dutch-Canadian along with her husband Gerrit, who was born in the Netherlands and immigrated to Iron Springs in 1988. His cousin who still resides there, contributed to the book by providing the Dutch translation.

Working as an educational assistant in the Lethbridge area for many years, Sinke noticed a lack of resources around Remembrance Day and the Second World War for younger children, especially those around the birth of the Dutch princess in Canada, and wanted to provide a resource for parents and teachers and an age-appropriate book for young children ages four to eight. 

The book is beautifully illustrated by Sinke’s 20-year-old daughter Abigayle Rozendaal, who lives in Taber with her husband. She said the book was an inspiring project to work on with her mother and was a wonderful learning opportunity.    

“It gave me such an appreciation for veterans,” said Rozendaal. “I feel special that I am Dutch and Canadian and it’s so cool to know the relationship that they have.”       

Rozendaal said most of her illustrations for the book are based on real photographs and shared a couple of her favourites that include the one depicting the liberation of the Dutch city of Apeldoorn in 1945 and one of Dutch Queen Wilhelmina, giving her first radio address to the Dutch people from the safety of England in 1940. 

“It was a symbol of hope for her people that their Queen was somewhere safe at the time,” said Rozendaal, adding that through this project, she learned about the Dutch princess – princess Margriet – who was born in Ottawa in 1943.  

Sinke and her daughter will be travelling to the Netherlands this spring after they applied for and received tickets to the Holten Memorial Service this May. They are thrilled to be able to share in this “once in a lifetime opportunity”, the celebrations and the commemorative 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands. 

“I’m so incredibly proud to be Canadian with a Dutch heritage,” said Sinke, noting the more than 5,000 Canadians who are buried in the Netherlands. “I am humbled, inspired and grateful. They gave the ultimate sacrifice as they fought to bring freedom and food to the people of the Netherlands, including my own grandparents.” 

A total of 500 books are being printed and will be shipped in mid-March. People wanting a copy can pre-order a book from the website at http://www.booksbyjuliasinke.com and once they arrive in Alberta, residents will be able to purchase a book online.