'I Wish Daddy Was Here' by Katherine DeMille

Military life comes with sacrifice, and sometimes it is a child who sacrifices. They must go months and months at a time without their mom or dad. Birthdays, holidays and school plays are missed not to mention little milestones, like learning to walk or ride a bike.

In a sweet and simple way, I Wish Daddy Was Here author Katherine DeMille addresses this issue for the younger children of our military families. The book is a gentle tool that lets mom and child share their feelings about missing a daddy serving his country away from home.

DeMille shows a strong parent left behind that is there to listen and be there for the child - fostering the child to open up about their thoughts. One suspects the parent and child bond is a little closer over their mutual feelings of loss and longing. One page has mom and daughter sitting quietly watching a sunset and commiserating about missing daddy. It is sweet, poignant and to the point.

Illustrated by Greg White, I Wish Daddy Was Here could have addressed how to tell a child why daddy was leaving, but it I think it accomplishes its intent in putting a voice to the feelings of a child missing their daddy quite well.