It Takes a Family to Serve: A Tribute to Military Families―A Moving and Patriotic Picture Book for Kids

by Lisa Wheeler, David Soman (Illustrator)

Celebrate military families and all they do when their loved ones are away on duty in this lyrical and timeless tale.

Whether in the Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Army or Marines, the brave people serving the country also have family serving in important ways back home. With beautiful text and gorgeous watercolor paintings, It Takes a Family to Serve shines a light on the work and dedication of families waiting for their loved ones to come back to them, while they take care of a beloved pet, attend a special event or raise a grandchild.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Military Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published March 17, 2026

Reviews

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect gift book for a family experiencing separation from a beloved one or for a library to help others understand what it is like to be a military family.

A mother flies a jet airplane for the Air Force, while her family tends to their farm during her deployment. A man in the Navy is deployed for nine months on his destroyer (ship) while his parents care for his children. Similar stories of a woman in the Coast Guard, one in the Army, and a Marine returning from action in a wheelchair. Each service member receives 6 pages of rhyming text about the love the service member and their families share during this difficult time.

The watercolor and gouache illustrations by David Soman are gorgeous! Full of emotion and love.
This moving introduction to life in the military, where family separations are common place is well-executed.

This Air Force brat & Navy wife rate it Highly Recommended for military families and their communities. Highly Recommended for PreS-grade 2.

[Marissa Maggard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a super sweet book and would be great for children with parents or other family members in the military.

[Sadie Shield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really cute and a great read aloud. It shows how not all families aren't always together, but how they hold eachother together. It talks about different families and different people in the military, stating people at home are still taking care of those who are far away. This is a great book to explain to a class why not everyones parents are around and where they are. It is a great opportunity for children to ask questions and learn. I think a lot of children can relate.

[Abigail Franklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

yeah it’s propaganda but I did start weeping at work. so grateful to not be a kid Skyping my dad and hoping the connection is strong enough to hear him say a complete sentence anymore

[Yapha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving tribute to the families holding down the home front whole their loved ones are deployed. For grades K & up.

[Ricki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a beautiful tribute to all of the military families who make sacrifices alongside their family members who serve in the military.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the genuine depictions of patriotism and the quiet inclusivity in the pictures.

[Linda Clements · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this children’s book so much. 🥹 Teary eyed when reading this wonderful children’s book. Shout out to all the families that serve alongside their brave soldier. Proud (grown up) Army brat. 🇺🇸