Love, Lizzie: Letters to a Military Mom

by Lisa Tucker McElroy, Diane Paterson (Illustrator)

Overview

Lizzie's mom is serving in the military overseas, and Lizzie really misses her. While they are apart, Lizzie and her mom write letters to each other to help make the separation easier.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807547779
Publisher:	Whitman, Albert & Company
Publication date:	01/01/2005
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.30(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

military;deployment;separation;war

Editorial Reviews

K-Gr 3-Lizzie's mom is a soldier with an overseas posting. The location is not mentioned, but the woman is shown in combat uniform, wearing a helmet and goggles and holding binoculars. The story is told as a series of letters from Lizzie to her mom, from the time she leaves until she returns home. Childlike crayon, marker, and watercolor illustrations and what looks like hand-written print make Lizzie's letters appear as though a child really did write them. The illustrations depict the youngster's activities and often include a map she has drawn. Written especially for military families, the book includes an introduction by U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein thanking military families for their sacrifices and a page of suggestions for adults such as taking advantage of the programs that the military offers, keeping one's routine as regular as possible, and connecting with other military families. Most readers will appreciate the authentic feel of Lizzie's letters as she asks all those inevitable "whys" about Mom's separation from the family. A worthy addition on a topic about which little has been written.-Pamela K. Bomboy, Chesterfield County Public Schools, VA Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

In this reassuring offering, a young girl named Lizzie writes letters to her mom, who is serving in the military overseas. McElroy gets the child's perspective just right, as Lizzie's letters shift easily from serious-and sometimes philosophical-questions like, "How long does defending freedom take?" to run-of-the-mill reports: "Thomas grew again and we had to get him some more pants." Throughout, Paterson's lively illustrations reflect Lizzie's daily routine with her father and brother, while a series of maps that Lizzie draws to show her mother exactly what she's been up to and where she goes each day effectively portray a child's need to make sense of an uncertain world. California senator Diane Feinstein provides the forward; backmatter includes tips for adults on how to help children cope with deployment separation. (Picture book. 5-9)

Kirkus Reviews