Review: I'll Lend You My Daddy: A Deployment Book for Military Kids Ages 4-8

I'll Lend You My Daddy: A Deployment Book for Military Kids Ages 4-8 by Becky King
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

MWSA Review

I’ll Lend You My Daddy, written by Becky King and illustrated by Valerie Valdivia, is an exceptional book that addresses military deployment from the point of view of the child whose loved one is absent. Suitable for young children—and fun to read for grown-ups—the book explores activities that the service member is missing (birthdays, holidays, school plays), activities the child can engage in (letter writing, care packages, phone conversations), emotions the child is experiencing (sadness, longing, pride, joy) while also representing the United States Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps.

The rhyming text presents a simple meter that is easy and fun to read, with rhyme schemes that fit the age level of the child. Illustrations are appealing, eye-catching, and detailed enough to allow the child to make discoveries along the way. Words and illustrations are laid out on the page so that they flow from one thought to the next.

While this book is a must-read for young children experiencing the deployment of a parent, it would also make a great read-aloud selection for all young school children to build appreciation for the sacrifices made by military families. It would be a great addition to every school library.

Review by Betsy Beard (January 2020)

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Review: Vietnam Photographs from North Carolina Veterans: The Memories They Brought Home

Vietnam Photographs from North Carolina Veterans: The Memories They Brought Home by Martin Tucker
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

MWSA Review

Most people have heard "a picture tells a thousand words," but that doesn't do the pictures in Martin Tucker's book justice. Born from a vision to heal North Carolina veterans, this book has grown to a full-fledged treatment for those who are suffering from unseen wounds in any state.

The pictures run the gamut from behind the lines to R&R to combat (although there is very little blood), and perfectly capture the Vietnam experience, especially for infantry and ground combat types. The photos themselves are excellently balanced between color footage and raw black and white images. The captions, too, range from short, impactful statements to longer comments filled with humor or amplifying details. The book itself is very professional, and both the pictures and the text would be well received by any veteran of that war.

Very well done, start to finish, Vietnam Photographs From North Carolina Veterans belongs on every Vietnam vet's bookshelf.

Review by Rob Ballister (January 2020)

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