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Love, Lizzie: Letters to a Military Mom by Lisa Tucker McElroy Nine-year-old Lizzie writes to her mother, who is deployed overseas during wartime, and includes maps that show her mother what Lizzie has been thinking and doing. Includes nonfiction tips for helping children of military families. From School Library Journal: 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 © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From Booklist: This addresses a now-common issue: how a child deals with the absences of a parent serving in the military. Much of the book consists of handwritten letters, full of news, gripes, and questions. Lizzie looks about eight or nine, and some of the questions she must know the answer to; for example, "Can you ask if you can come home just for the [soccer] game?" But separation, anxiety, annoying little brothers, and holidays and other events apart from Mom are also discussed. Lizzie draws maps to send to her mother of new and important events, like a new ice cream store and the visit to grandparents in Florida. The bright and friendly art features a lively Lizzie, often still having fun, and a full-page of snaps of Mom in her fatigues. A checklist entitled, "When a parent is deployed," is included. --GraceAnne DeCandido Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved ISBN 0807547778 10.6” x 8.1” hardcover 32 pages
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