Review by Booklist Review
Although this book will have special meaning for those children whose parents or caregivers are serving in the military, it's also a valuable resource for those looking to understand more about the children of military families and their unique needs. The simple text begins with a reminder of the bravery of military personnel and their children. Time spent together is celebrated, and, for the children, questions are raised: Who will take care of me? Will my parent be safe? Readers are poignantly reminded of times in a child's life a military parent might miss, especially school and sporting events, while ways to stay connected, through technology or via letters, are important inclusions. The colorful photographs of diverse children and families personalize these points, while final pages offer suggestions, show kids' definitions of bravery, and provide additional resources. An important book for comfort, support, and education. Pair with Jill Biden's Don't Forget, God Bless Our Troops (2012) for a fictional account of a father's absence and the impact on his daughter.--Ching, Edie Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-A poignant photographic look at the experience of being separated from a parent who is serving in the military. The large, beautiful images depict actual parents and kids and include a diverse group of individuals from a variety of military branches, allowing readers to see their own stories on these pages. Written in verse, Kerley's accessible text explores different emotions that children feel when a parent is away on active duty. Included in the back matter are a note on "Dealing with Separation," information about the work that people serving in the military do, tips for adults for helping children cope, and some further resources. A map with location details is provided for all photographs, giving kids the opportunity to connect even more deeply with the book. VERDICT A quality purchase for collections that support those who are coping with the demands of military life.-April Sanders, Spring Hill College, Mobile, AL © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Men and women in the armed forces do all sorts of jobs, from building schools to cleaning up after natural disasters to fighting in battle to providing health care. Many of them have families. In this expansively designed book, the photos tell the stories not only of the deployed mothers and fathers far away but of the frustrations and worries and coping strategies of the children left behind. Told in a childs voice, the text is comforting. "Sometimes Im scared Mom will get hurt. But I know shes really careful. / I know Dad has worked hard to learn how to stay safe." Photographs of children Skyping with their absent parent, sending pictures and letters, and doing their part around the house reinforce for youngsters that life goes on. Other photos show men and women from many backgrounds, reminding the reader of the variety of people who serve in this countrys military. Back matter includes a world map of places where the photos came from and information for caregivers from the Military Child Education Coalition. Children of soldiers might be comforted knowing there are others in the same situation, but all children who read this will have their eyes opened to the challenges families face when one or both parents serve far away from home. The final reunion scenes are appropriately uplifting. robin l. smith (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
