“Brave Like Me” Helps Kids of Military Personnel

Brave Like Me

By Barbara Kerley

National Geographic Society; April 12, 2016

Ages: 4-8

When a mom or dad is serving in the military far from home, children have to be brave. Simple text told from the child’s point of view is matched with colorful photographs of real children and military personnel from all over the world. The child narrator tells about his struggles with sadness, anger and fear.

But he/she knows his parents have worked hard to learn how to stay safe. The child talks to his parent on the phone and on the computer, and sends letters, photos and drawings. He/she tries to do the best he can at school. The rest of the family makes dinner, reads books aloud and tucks him/her in at night. Neighbors and friends take him/her to the park, the movies and the pool. He/she stays busy with friends, pets and alone. So there will be “lots of things to talk about and a million hugs and kisses to share when they come.”

At the back of the book, the reader learns where every photo in the book was taken. There is more information about dealing with separation and a note to caregivers. Children are quoted telling what being brave means to them. More information is provided about the military services and what military personnel do around the world. Further resources are listed. Finally, a couple of military personnel are quoted telling some things they do to make it easier for their children.

About the Author:

Barbara Kerley is the author of six award-winning books for National Geographic. Her latest is “With a Friend by Your Side,” which Booklist declared is “sure to win hearts.” “The World is Waiting for You,” “A Cool Drink of Water,” and “One World, One Day,” received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly. “You and Me Together“ was named an American Library Association (ALA) Notable Book and “A Little Peace” was called “stunningly beautiful” by the “Boston Globe.” Barbara is also the author of “What to Do About Alice?” “A Home for Emerson,” and “The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins,” a Caldecott Honor Book

When Barbara was a young girl, her best friend’s father was in the military, serving in combat far from home. When she grew up, Barbara taught English classes in a program for veterans who were preparing to go back to school. There she met many men and women who were disciplined, hardworking and very brave.