When Your Daddy's a Soldier - Hardcover

McLellan, Gretchen Brandenburg

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0593463900 ISBN 13: 9780593463901

Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers, 2022

Synopsis

A lyrical, moving story about a family's experience at home during their dad's time away at war.

For one young boy and his family at home, the days pass slowly. That's because when your daddy's a soldier and he's away at war, you can't wait for him to come home so you can be together again. 
 
This poignant and impactful story, inspired by the author's lived experiences, captures the essence of the daily heartache, fear, joy, and uncertainty that a child whose parent has gone off to war must live with.  

About this title

About the Author

Gretchen Brandenburg McLellan’s daddy was a soldier and a veteran of three wars. Gretchen is a former elementary reading specialist who devotes herself to writing for children in a variety of genres. Her books include Mrs. McBee Leaves Room 3, I’m Done!, Button and Bundle, and No Party Poopers! McLellan lives with her family in Washington. Visit her online at gretchenmclellan.com or follow her on Twitter @gmclellan5 or on Instagram @gretchenmclellan.

EG Keller is the illustrator of the New York Times #1 bestseller, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Presents A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo, and the picture book To the Moon and Back for You by Bravo star Emilia Bechrakis Serhant. As Gerald Kelley, he illustrated documentarian Ken Burns’ New York Times bestselling book, Grover Cleveland, Again!, and wrote and illustrated the picture book, Please Please the Bees, which won the 2017 Frances and Wesley Bock Book Award for Children’s Literature and was read aloud for Storyline Online by Rashida Jones. He lives in Denver with his husband and dog. Visit him online at egkellerdraws.com or follow him on Instagram @egkellerdraws.

From the Back Cover

Love can travel any distance.

From the Inside Flap

For one young boy and his family at home, the days pass slowly. That's because when your daddy's a soldier, and he's away at war, you can't wait for him to come home so you can be together again. Whether by writing letters or being an extra helper around the house, everyone plays their part to keep the family going.
This poignant and impactful story, inspired by the author's lived experiences, celebrates the strength and resilience of those who fight--and those who wait for their safe return.

Reviews

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 Despite the absence of depicting mothers serving their country, this book is perfect for military families looking for a little reassurance about their experiences.—Darby Wallace

Edition details

• Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2022
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0593463900
• ISBN 13: 9780593463901
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Keller EG
• Number of pages: 32