Brave Like Me

Along with a comforting text, photos tell the stories of deployed parents and of the coping strategies of the children left behind. Men and women from many backgrounds remind readers of the variety of people who serve in this country’s military. This book will open eyes to the challenges families face when parents serve far away. Back matter includes a world map. Websites.

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 child's voice, the text is comforting. "Sometimes I'm scared Mom will get hurt. But I know she's 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 country's 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