Vater ist im Kriege : ein Bilderbuch für Kinder

"Vater ist im Kriege" (Father is in the War) is a picture book for children published by the "Kriegskinderspende deutscher Frauen," a German women's charity for children affected by World War I. The illustrations and rhymes depict German soldiers, sailors, pilots, etc, performing their various duties while at war. In particular, there is a scene called "Einmarsch in Feindesland" (march into enemy territory), which shows the German infantry marching into a French city as it burns down in flames. Towards the end, there is an illustration of "Hindenburgs Gefangene" (Hindenburg's prisoners). In contrast to the German soldiers, most of whom look healthy, happy and blond, these prisoners of war look tired and have ugly features like "hohle Augen" (cavernous eyes) and "platte Nasen" (broad noses). The last page shows young boys visiting German soldiers in the hospital. The young boys all have blond hair and are referred to as princes. The soldiers are lying in beds but look healthy and cheerful. The rhyme indicates the soldiers were wounded while attempting to conquer Germany's "Erbfeind" (hereditary enemy) for the sake of Germany's little princes, or rather, the country's heirs. Additionally, the book's cover, which shows a photograph of a mother looking tenderly at her baby in her arms, emphasizes the idea of the war as a righteous task being performed for Germany's youth. Illustrated title page of Santa Claus surrounded by evergreen branches. 1 unnumbered leaf, 50 unnumbered pages, 1 unnumbered leaf : color illustrations ; 25 x 19 cm