Coming Home by Greg Ruth
Coming Home by Greg Ruth is today’s pick for Perfect Picture Book Friday!
Written & Illustrated by: Greg Ruth
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (November 4, 2014)
Suitable for ages: 4-7
Themes/Topics: military families, resilience, hope, anticipation
Brief Synopsis: Coming Home is a nearly wordless story of a young boy awaiting a loved one to return home. It is a sweet and simple story depicting a typical military homecoming scene. Through eyes of the boy, readers experience the emotion and anticipation felt on this joyous day when families and friends gather to greet their loved ones. The boy sees others arrive while he searches for his someone special. And it has the perfect surprise ending!
Opening pages: “Every day, soldiers leave their families to protect others. We love them. We miss them when they’re gone. And we want them all to come home. They are our heroes.”
Why I like this book: As a former educator in the Department of Defense Dependent Schools I know first-hand how deployments affect children. As a military spouse, this book flooded my memory. I re-experienced every homecoming scene I and my children have had when their father returned from an assignment as an active duty naval officer. It’s very moving. Civilians get a glimpse into the life of a military child.
The beautiful illustrations depict the many different ways a homecoming can be celebrated. There are spouses, parents, friends, pets, even a man touching the belly of his pregnant wife. I highly recommend it!
Resources: Little Listeners in an Uncertain World Coping strategies for you and your child during deployment or when a crisis occurs. Two options to create a book together, when it’s dad or when it’s mom “out there.”
Helping children handle deployments Addresses a child’s moodiness and behavior during the deployment may be a sign of stress or anxiety and how to help.
Preparing children for deployment Tools and resources for military families throughout each stage of deployment by those who have been there.
The “So Far” Guide A guide to help children and youth cope with the deployment of a parent in the military reserves.
For other Perfect Picture Book Friday picks from today, head over to author Susanna Hill’s page here.
Happy reading!
My kind of book. I’m always searching for good books for military kids that are unique. Oh, to be an author/illustrator. The cover is gorgeous. Will have to check this one out.
It is a beautiful book Patricia. And yes, that author/illustrator combo really works for this one.
Thanks so much for this review, Keila! Books for kids of military families are SO necessary and very rare. As a military kid, I would have loved to have something like this! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Beth. Indeed such books are rare. I hope to add one some day! Boy do I have stories to tell. LOL
This looks fantastic, Keila…an almost wordless one to help really young kids with the worry and fear of a parent’s deployment…thank you so much! I’ll try to get a copy. 😉
And it does so brilliantly Vivian. Thanks for stopping by!
This is a beautiful looking book with a very emotional theme. I have not had to experience such a situation but already I am moved beyond words just reading your review. Thank you Keila.
It’s such an emotional book, memories resurfaced I hadn’t thought of in quite a while! That’s when you know a book is a winner. Thanks for stopping by Diane.
I’m always glad to find books with this theme. The illustrations look lovely too. Good pick for Flag Day. Thanks.
Yes, this would make a great read for any patriotic holiday. Thanks for stopping by Joanne.
I agree with Sue. It’s too bad we need this book, but it’s beautifully done and will serve many a family well. I also think it will help children who don’t have parents or relatives in the military empathize with those who do. Nice pick!
Indeed Jilanne, it’s a reality and I am so happy to see a book that addresses an important part of the lives of kids who do experience this kind of separation. Thanks for stopping by!
unfortunately, a much-needed book. It will be a fine day when we don’t have to wait for parents to come home from the war. Thanks for sharing.
Yes, the separation from war is tough, been there, done that. But separation for military families is really just a fact of life even during times of extended peace. Thanks for stopping by Sue!