Military families face unique challenges, from long deployments to frequent moves, and children in these families often experience emotions that can be hard to express. Thankfully, there are wonderful children’s books designed specifically for military families to help young readers navigate the complexities of military life. Whether you’re a military parent looking to support your children through a deployment, or you’re simply hoping to educate your little ones on the lives of military families, here are ten must-read children’s books to share with your kids.
1. The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
Age Range: 3-8
Though not specifically written for military families, The Invisible String is a perfect book to help children deal with separation, whether it’s due to a deployment or a move. The story reassures kids that no matter how far apart they are from their loved ones, they are always connected by an invisible string made of love. This comforting message can bring peace to children missing a parent serving far away.
2. Night Catch by Brenda Ehrmantraut
Age Range: 4-8
When a father is deployed, he and his son continue to share a nightly ritual of playing catch with a star. This heartwarming story helps children cope with the absence of a parent and reinforces the bond that remains strong, even across great distances. Night Catch is a fantastic way to comfort children and show them that love can stretch across oceans.
3. H is for Honor: A Military Family Alphabet by Devin Scillian
Age Range: 4-10
This book is a great resource for children to understand military life. Each letter of the alphabet is dedicated to a different aspect of military culture, from “A is for Army” to “Z is for Zoom!” It’s an informative, engaging read for kids and provides insight into various military branches, traditions, and the sacrifices that come with service.
4. Maggie the Military Rat by Jessie Barnes
Age Range: 4-8
In this charming story, Maggie is a rat who lives on a military base and learns about the challenges that military families face. Through Maggie’s adventures, children are introduced to the concepts of deployments, moving to new places, and making new friends. This book does a wonderful job of helping children understand military life in a fun and engaging way, making it relatable to young readers from military families.
5. Daddy’s Deployed by Bridget Platt
Age Range: 3-8
Written by a military spouse, Daddy’s Deployed is a sweet and relatable book for young children whose father is deployed. The story shares the experiences of a little girl whose dad is away serving, but it shows how she keeps her father close to her heart, even while he’s gone. The illustrations and narrative reflect the military family’s experience, offering comfort to children going through similar challenges.
6. Military Life: Stories and Poems for Childrenwritten by Various Authors and illustrated by Quinette Cook
This collection of original stories and poems touches on many aspects of military life from a child's point of view. From moving to making new friends, deployment, homecoming, patriotism, and tender family moments, Military Life gives a glimpse of the many joys and challenges military children experience.
7. My Daddy Sleeps Everywhere by Jesse Franklin
Age Range: 3-8
Perfect for the youngest military children, this board book tells the story of a little boy who shares how his daddy sleeps in all kinds of places around the world because of his military service. Through simple words and pictures, young readers can connect to the story and feel pride in their parent’s service while also finding comfort in the routines and love that remain constant, no matter where their parent is deployed.
8. A Hero Lives in My Family by Susan Hunt
Age Range: 4-10
In A Hero Lives in My Family, author Sheri Wall offers an inspiring and patriotic story for children living in military families. This book shows how military parents are heroes both at home and on duty, helping children recognize the importance of their parent’s role in the military. It also emphasizes the pride that military children can take in their family’s service, creating a sense of honor and appreciation for their loved ones’ sacrifices.
9. Brave Like Me by Barbara Kerley
Age Range: 4-8
Brave Like Me takes a deeper dive into the emotions military children feel when their parent is deployed. This story validates feelings of worry and sadness while emphasizing resilience, strength, and bravery. The book’s beautiful illustrations and gentle tone make it an excellent resource for children grappling with the emotions of saying goodbye to a loved one for an extended time.
10. As Much As the Stars by Tricia, Forrest, and Skylar Zenone
Age Range: 4-8
A special addition to this list is As Much As the Stars, a beautiful story co-authored by a military mom and her two sons, both active-duty service members. This unique flipbook shares two perspectives of military deployment: one of a parent saying goodbye to a child being deployed and the other of a child saying goodbye to their parent. It’s a touching, multi-generational reflection on the goodbyes military families face, perfect for parents and children alike.
By featuring these books, military families can find comfort, encouragement, and understanding as they face the challenges of deployment and separation. Whether you’re reading for emotional support or as a way to help your child relate to their military lifestyle, these stories can be a great tool to ease the burden of goodbye.
Do you have a favorite children’s book about military families that isn’t on this list? Let us know in the comments!
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