Enemy soldiers shoot at each other from their foxholes while recalling how their “manuals” describe the enemy—a monster who will kill them and their families. Eventually, hunger and cold drive the soldiers from their hiding places, and as one soldier approaches the foxhole of another, each is surprised to find many common items—family pictures and a manual sharing lies about the enemy. The concept of common life experiences and dreams invariably leads to discussions about the origins of peace—and war. Simple sketches on a barren, white battlefield illustrate this tale of the senselessness of war. 2010 USBBY Outstanding International Books List, 2010 NCSS/CBC Notable Children’s Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies. jm

Originally pub lished as L’Ennemi in French by Êditions Sarbacane France, in 2007.

Featuring a profound anti-war message, this moving and poetic meditation on the big questions in the tradition of The Little Prince is now available in the author's original edition for older readers

There's a war on. We see something that looks like a desert. There are two holes. In the two holes are two soldiers. THEY ARE ENEMIES.

So begins this extraordinary, highly contemporary picture book. Inspired by historical events, it speaks to adults, yet is also accessible to a child of primary school age. Set in a war not unlike World War I, the tale is narrated by one of the soldiers, who tells of his loneliness, deprivations, fears, irritations, and, finally, his resolve to end his part in the war. In exploring his own emotions about a conflict seemingly without end or reason, he comes to suspect his enemy is not the inhuman barbarian he has been warned about, but may just be a frightened, tired victim of propaganda like himself. The unforgettable artwork, which combines photographic collage, simple line drawings, and a masterful use of white space, will make this book a collectable for all those who admire illustrated books of the highest quality. Published in association with Amnesty International, this book is an ideal conversation starter about how conflict and violence can give way to peace, compassion, and understanding.