The good son - a world war one story

I work in a public library as one of the children's library officers. One of the books shortlisted by the children's book council of Australia is "The good son: a story from the first world war told in miniature".

This book tells the story of  Pierre, a young french soldier. Pierre was one of the millions of young men who signed up to fight the war to end all wars.  They expected the war to last for months, not years. 

Pierre is homesick and wants to see his mother, and be a good son, so he sneaks home for two days. He realises he needs to be a good son and return to the regiment and make his family proud. On his return, the commander has him locked up and tells him he will be executed for desertion.

The story is depicted through miniature figures, with cinematic photos. It's quite remarkable. I have provided  a link with more information on this book.

I found the story moving and reflected on my own grandfather  (George Albert Brett) and great grandfather ( John Rainbird) who fought in the first world war. 

Australia was the only country involved in the great war to not execute it's own soldiers, having only sent volunteers to the front. France executed nearly a thousand of it's own soldiers, most during 1914 at the start of the war.