DescriptionReviewsTrevor Agnew, The Source ~ The Cinderella Service is an appealing and readable insight into the lives of young women during World War Two. A list of useful resources for further research into the role of land girls is included.Lynda Taylor has worked at a military museum, where she had the chance to do research and even read wartime letters, so her writing is rich in period detail. ‘In exchange for two clothing coupons, I was issued a pair of lace-up work boots, three pairs of dungarees, three pairs of woollen socks, three work shirts, one oilskin raincoat and one leather jerkin.’Young readers will enjoy looking-up some of the vocabulary items which occur in the story, including ‘long-drop, dungarees, dagging’ and ‘calamine lotion’.The cover illustration is a lively watercolour painting, ‘Woolshed Interior, 1944’ by Juliet Peter, showing a wartime shearing team at work, with one land girl picking-up fleeces, and another busily tramping them down in the wool press. Both are wearing dungarees.About the Kiwi authorLynda Taylor was born and raised in Auckland and now lives semi-rurally in Hawke’s Bay. With a lifelong passion for books and literature, she completed a BA in English from Massey University in 2016 and a Master of Creative Writing in 2021, both as a part-time distance learner. Lynda has a keen interest in history, particularly the untold stories of women during wartime. Her research has focused on the contributions of Kiwi women on the home front during World War II, especially the little-known work of land girls. Drawing on her own experience of transitioning from city life in Auckland to rural living in Hawke’s Bay, Lynda brings a unique perspective to her storytelling, blending historical insight with a deep appreciation for the sacrifices and resilience of these women.
