FICTION

When Your Daddy’s a Soldier

by Gretchen Brandenburg McLellan (text) & illus. by EG Keller
Viking. Oct. 2022. 32p. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780593463901.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 4–An uplifting and honest portrayal of life for military families told from the eyes of a child. Soldiers and their families face the excitement of a very important job, but they also face the trials of being apart. The part of the family that stays home is proud, but also sad. They have important jobs to do, too. While their soldier is away at work, they take care of each other and send him treats to feel connected. The struggles are described honestly without being upsetting. The illustrations convey the emotions of the family, including the highs and the lows. While the story does include the efforts of the family, female soldiers are not depicted front and center. 
VERDICT The emphasis of the text is on the father's absence; the illustrations show two women and at least one mother in the military in a book perfect for families looking for a little reassurance about their experiences.
Reviewed by Darby Wallace , Oct 01, 2022

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