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Dad and son have a great relationship and bond over things like fishing trips and playing ball. But when Dad goes off to war, his son misses him immensely. One day Dad is home; the next day, he is gone very far away with brief and few telephone calls. One day Dad is well; the next day, he is home and in the hospital, possibly with permanent disabilities. One day Dad works in town; the next, Dad proudly goes off to war. Despite the heartwrenching situation, the author keeps the plot lighthearted.
It can be extremely difficult to explain the deployment of a parent to a small child. The author sets out to make it a little easier by writing a realistic but upbeat story about a boy whose dad goes off to fight in Iraq. It is written to help young children learn what to expect and what they might feel when their parents live a military existence.
For those who have a veteran in the family but didn't experience the military family life from a child's perspective, this book can help. When read to young children, it can help quell their fears and teach them to remain optimistic that family life will someday return to what they were previously accustomed to. The illustrations are adorable. Though colorful, the book cover is bordered in Army green. This will help kids visually relate, as their dad's uniform probably matches. The book was published to help kids know that they are not alone; other children are experiencing a parent going off and returning to war, too. Stories like this can be comforting and encouraging. Although this book is for a very niche market, it is one that desperately needs to be filled.