Have you ever said good-bye to someone very dear? Here's a story about a little boy who figured out the best gift to give his dad who was leaving to serve his country . . . a paper hug.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
38 of 38 people found the following review helpful
By Mom of Two
I have been a military spouse for 12+ years. I have two children who have experienced 3 deployments of at least a year in length. I can say that I wish this book had been around for the first goodbye.
A Paper Hug follows a child as his father is called to deploy overseas. It covers emotions and issues that are likely to be experienced by both children and the parent left behind. This is important in preparing children during such a life changing event. In a military family, it is crucial to talk to children about deployments, and what to expect. This is not always an easy task! This book covers quite a bit!
The story starts with the father being notified he was being called to duty. Mom and son gather items for dad to take with him in order to remember them. This is a valid fear for children- daddy might forget me- so I truly liked this as a starter for the story. It also encourages children to get to know their dad or mom, so they can put together a care package full of things they might enjoy while deployed.
The child in the story experiences a time where he just cries about the situation, which is a normal response. In this time, he figures out he can make something very special for his dad- a paper hug. It details just how the paper hug was created with simple supplies that many young children can handle. (construction paper, yarn, tape, simple measurements..)It even includes a poem that your own child can use to enclose with their very own paper hug.
The family says their good bye to dad as he left, and then a letter arrives a few weeks later. I find that this section is very helpful for children when forming expecations. Many younger children think that letters will come quickly, or that when a letter comes it will be for them. From the book, "Three weeks went by before we got a letter from dad. It was a long one. He told us about what he was doing, what the food was like and mostly stuff for Mom- BUT there was a "p.s" just for me-'Thanks for the surprise box AND especially the hug!'" This is easy for a young child to understand, and shows them that it may take a while, and you may not get a letter for yourself, but dad IS thinking about you.
The book even goes into the late or early hour phone calls that dad might make, and how mom will do most of the talking, and many times the calls come when the children are in bed due to the time difference. Yet again, another expecation is discussed so children will not be overly dissapointed.
The story has the best ending of course, with dad returning home, and getting a real hug to replace the paper hug that kept him going for so long.
I have been asked to review many military related books- this one by far has been the most well done. The author and illustrator are a mother-daughter team who have sent family to Iraq, and lived through the experience with young children. The story is well written for a young child to read on their own or with a parent, and the drawings are done in such a fashion that a child can "get into." Not overly complicated, with bold and fun colors.
Overall I completely recommend this book to be a part of the library of any military family with young children. Having resources to prepare the parent are wonderful- but having a book just for kids written in the perspective of a child, in my opinion, is just as important.
~Sharon, www.silentwarriors.net
A Paper Hug follows a child as his father is called to deploy overseas. It covers emotions and issues that are likely to be experienced by both children and the parent left behind. This is important in preparing children during such a life changing event. In a military family, it is crucial to talk to children about deployments, and what to expect. This is not always an easy task! This book covers quite a bit!
The story starts with the father being notified he was being called to duty. Mom and son gather items for dad to take with him in order to remember them. This is a valid fear for children- daddy might forget me- so I truly liked this as a starter for the story. It also encourages children to get to know their dad or mom, so they can put together a care package full of things they might enjoy while deployed.
The child in the story experiences a time where he just cries about the situation, which is a normal response. In this time, he figures out he can make something very special for his dad- a paper hug. It details just how the paper hug was created with simple supplies that many young children can handle. (construction paper, yarn, tape, simple measurements..)It even includes a poem that your own child can use to enclose with their very own paper hug.
The family says their good bye to dad as he left, and then a letter arrives a few weeks later. I find that this section is very helpful for children when forming expecations. Many younger children think that letters will come quickly, or that when a letter comes it will be for them. From the book, "Three weeks went by before we got a letter from dad. It was a long one. He told us about what he was doing, what the food was like and mostly stuff for Mom- BUT there was a "p.s" just for me-'Thanks for the surprise box AND especially the hug!'" This is easy for a young child to understand, and shows them that it may take a while, and you may not get a letter for yourself, but dad IS thinking about you.
The book even goes into the late or early hour phone calls that dad might make, and how mom will do most of the talking, and many times the calls come when the children are in bed due to the time difference. Yet again, another expecation is discussed so children will not be overly dissapointed.
The story has the best ending of course, with dad returning home, and getting a real hug to replace the paper hug that kept him going for so long.
I have been asked to review many military related books- this one by far has been the most well done. The author and illustrator are a mother-daughter team who have sent family to Iraq, and lived through the experience with young children. The story is well written for a young child to read on their own or with a parent, and the drawings are done in such a fashion that a child can "get into." Not overly complicated, with bold and fun colors.
Overall I completely recommend this book to be a part of the library of any military family with young children. Having resources to prepare the parent are wonderful- but having a book just for kids written in the perspective of a child, in my opinion, is just as important.
~Sharon, www.silentwarriors.net
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Okay, I admit to being a softie at times, I even cried at the movies a couple of times in my life when no one was looking. "Paper Hugs", written by Stephanie Skolmoski and illustrated by her daughter Anneliese Bennion, is one of those simple children's books that might moisten up your vision a little; this is really a very charming and sweetly touching story book. It got to me. I image that it might do the same for members of most military families that read it to their children. It is a book that needed to be written and the message is as simple and pure as a child's love.
The story is about deployment and separation and how children miss their daddies. More importantly it is about how much daddies miss their families and children. It is a must buy for any military family who is dealing with deployment. The illustrations work well with the story line and together makes for a power little story for young children. I think this book could also start a trend of children making hand crafted "paper hugs" much like the "yellow-ribbons" got the public's attention.
Bravo to the author and illustrator. This book earns the MWSA's coveted FIVE TEDDY BEARS children's book rating!
Posted on The Military Writer's Society of America Book Reviews
The story is about deployment and separation and how children miss their daddies. More importantly it is about how much daddies miss their families and children. It is a must buy for any military family who is dealing with deployment. The illustrations work well with the story line and together makes for a power little story for young children. I think this book could also start a trend of children making hand crafted "paper hugs" much like the "yellow-ribbons" got the public's attention.
Bravo to the author and illustrator. This book earns the MWSA's coveted FIVE TEDDY BEARS children's book rating!
Posted on The Military Writer's Society of America Book Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Aaron Herd
This book is great for anyone who has had to say good bye. It is hopeful and creative. I loved the message from it and got some great ideas for my preschool class!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not my favorite
Out of all the books I've gotten to help my son better understand and cope with his father's deployment, I didn't care too much for this one. Read more
Published 5 months ago by K. Burton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cute
Simple book for my kids, my husband is deployed and I thought this was something cute they could do for him
Published 13 months ago by Amber
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Paper Hug
This is a great book for anyone who has family that are in the military or a Mommy/Daddy who is deployed. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Mellisa M Sather
5.0 out of 5 stars
A good one...
I bought this for my nephew who is 4. His dad is getting ready to deploy and I wanted to get a special book for him, kind of like I did for my son during his first deployment. Read more
Published on March 5, 2011
5.0 out of 5 stars
My 2 year old really liked this book.
My husband and I bought this book for our 2 year old when he left for this deployment. We thought it would really help her to understand what was going on. She really liked it. Read more
Published on February 23, 2011 by Brandee S.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved it!
My son is in the Air Force and recently left for S. Korea on a one year assignment. I purchased the book for my 3yr old grandaughter, hoping to help her understand his being gone... Read more
Published on December 31, 2010 by gerirn
1.0 out of 5 stars
not for little ones
this might be better for older kids, and the project with the hands and string is a wonderful idea, but the book itself is long and a pain to read to my 2 year old. Read more
Published on June 2, 2010 by C. Ambrose
5.0 out of 5 stars
Everyone needs a hug
We have quite a selection of "daddy" books to read when my Army husband is deployed. This is one of my favorites. Read more
Published on May 15, 2010 by Mommy to two
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect Book for Children of Deployed Parents
I found this book a month after my husband left for Afghanistan and am so thankful I came across it. Read more
Published on December 3, 2009 by H. Harper
1.0 out of 5 stars
Great craft Idea, not such a great book
This book is an incredible craft idea, but after the first few times of reading it to my 2.5 year old son, he completely lost interest. Read more
Published on August 4, 2009 by Susanne
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