This deployment book will help children understand how the family can function in the absence of a deployed parent. This book can be used in an art lesson or as math activity. For an art activity, the children can do like the story's main character; each child can make a cut of of their two hand prints. Then for the math activity, they can be grouped with a partner to measure the distance around their upper torso, then cut a long string to match the meausrement to hold the two hands together. T More...

I absolutely love this simple story with its sweet message. We read this to a group of Army kids at an FRG meeting then made paper hugs to send to our Soldiers in Iraq. We included a note with an excerpt from the book ...

When you’re feeling lonely
And you need a little lift …
Wrap these hands of mine around you
And you’ll feel my special gift.

I know you’re far away
And I know you’ll need a hug.
Until you’re home one day
These hands will ke More...

loved the hand-made craft and items packed for the parent leaving to serve our country.

What a neat idea! A paper hug!

A child helps pack a box of his dad's favorite things to take as he deploys. Not only is the child involved but creates a special gift that his dad will treasure during his year long deployment.