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I'll Lend You My Daddy: A Military Deployment Book for Kids Ages 4-8

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Military Writers of America Gold Medal WinnerReader's Favorite Book Award WinnerA Military Deployment Book for Kids A Read-Together 32-page, Fully Illustrated, Rhyming Picture BookA heartwarming story of love, courage, and comfort during deployment for military families with the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines.

In I'll Lend You My Daddy, young boys and girls find ways to manage their feelings about deployment (from goodbyes, to the first night, to missed birthdays) as they eagerly await their fathers' return home. Through the support of family and friends, care packages, and calls, these children grow strong with the knowledge of what it means to serve, generating pride from within, that makes glorious reunions all the more sweet by book's end.

I'll lend you my daddy.He works for us all.He keeps the world safeAnd answers our call.

Makes a wonderful book for discussion with military children who have difficulties sorting through their emotions such as sadness, fear, or separation anxietyProvides a source of connection for military children with deployed family members to the greater universe of families who go through a similar experienceReflects children from diverse families with touching illustrations from the talented Valerie Valdivia in a 32-page full-color picture book formatAn ideal gift for families with young children, preparing for deployment for the first time and during deploymentA valuable tool for teachers and educators who encourage appreciation for our nation's armed forces and also for the children of those families who make sacrifices every day of the year, including birthdays, Independence Day, Veteran's Day, and Memorial Day, and other holidays of remembrance and appreciationSimple, rhyming verse makes for an excellent read-aloud or read-together that is sure to please young listeners and readersA terrific complement to other resources like deployment countdown calendars and activity books"A must-read for young children experiencing the deployment of a parent, it would also make a great read-aloud selection for all young school children to build appreciation for the sacrifices made by military families. It would be a great addition to every school library." - Betsy Beard, Military Writers Society of America

"I ordered this book for my nephew's sons who are 4 and 7. It was a big hit! Their dad has been deployed since last winter and he has been greatly missed. I'll Lend You My Daddy helped them understand they are not the only ones missing their dad. Since their dad is in a reserve unit based in another city they don't know the children of other soldiers. The book is very easy to read and the rhyming adds an undertone of optimism. The illustrations are delightful. This book fills a gap that many families have. Thanks to the author for taking her time to provide a much-needed resource for our military families." - Sharon Hardesty ★★★★★

"No military family with small children, or collections catering to them, should be without this unique, bright, encouraging picture book that emphasizes pride, reunion, sacrifice, and duty." - Diane Donovan, Senior Reviewer at Midwest Reviews

Written by Becky King, mother to a 7-year-old son named Benson when her husband was first deployed to Afghanistan.

18 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 17, 2019

7 people are currently reading
13 people want to read

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Becky King

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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Profile Image for Maura.
808 reviews14 followers
September 3, 2021
Mixed feelings about this children's book from the perspective of a child whose parent is deployed. The "I'll lend you my Daddy" refrain, repeated on every page, felt *off,* as children don't voluntarily give up their parent to the military, and presenting the coping mechanisms of children whose father is deployed from the frame of it being voluntary feels like gaslighting to me. On the other hand, the coping mechanisms themselves were helpful, the illustrations diverse, and the book fills a great need among military families for any representation. There is no depiction at all of a military Mom, which is a glaring and troubling (and could it be anything but intentional?) oversight. With mixed feelings, I may purchase it for a school library just to fill a need for books representing children with deployed parents.
Profile Image for Military Writers Society of America (MWSA).
849 reviews78 followers
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January 31, 2020
MWSA Review

I’ll Lend You My Daddy, written by Becky King and illustrated by Valerie Valdivia, is an exceptional book that addresses military deployment from the point of view of the child whose loved one is absent. Suitable for young children—and fun to read for grown-ups—the book explores activities that the service member is missing (birthdays, holidays, school plays), activities the child can engage in (letter writing, care packages, phone conversations), emotions the child is experiencing (sadness, longing, pride, joy) while also representing the United States Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps.

The rhyming text presents a simple meter that is easy and fun to read, with rhyme schemes that fit the age level of the child. Illustrations are appealing, eye-catching, and detailed enough to allow the child to make discoveries along the way. Words and illustrations are laid out on the page so that they flow from one thought to the next.

While this book is a must-read for young children experiencing the deployment of a parent, it would also make a great read-aloud selection for all young school children to build appreciation for the sacrifices made by military families. It would be a great addition to every school library.

Review by Betsy Beard (January 2020)
Profile Image for Elizabeth Edwards.
5,552 reviews9 followers
April 15, 2020
this will bring a tear to your eye. wow, so true ... great illustrations. well done. thanks to your Dad's we appreciate his hard work and dedication to your country. thanks!!
Profile Image for Bella.
Author 5 books68 followers
September 21, 2020
Wow

Just a beautiful book with beautiful illustrations on army family. The army kids reunion, feelings and emotions. Oh seat... This is just a wonderful book
51 reviews4 followers
August 15, 2020
I'll Lend You My Daddy by Becky King tells a story of children of service members that have to deploy. The story explains a lot of the hardships the children go through but the overall message is that they understand that their daddy is doing his job for the greater good and that the daddy will return. This is a good book for military families.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews

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