Customer Reviews

Dear Soldier: I Pray for You Every Night Before I Go to Bed

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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In this time of uncertainity, this book is a wonderful tribute to our soldiers and helps us realize what is really important through the eyes of children. A wonderful book to share with family members young and old.

This is a must have for all Americans! It's a sweet reminder of the many heroes here and abroad.

This collection of letters was both colorful in its words and in its pictures. Whether children are asking our soldiers to please come home safe, what guns they use in Iraq, or telling them about the pets they have in their homes, these children are all very aware of what is going on in Iraq; they know they are there fighting for our freedom and risking their necks to do it.

As you turn the pages, taking a look into each child's perception of the war, and learning what questions they desire to ask of our soldiers, you'll notice you have an array of emotions. Laughter is not a stranger as you read through these letters, especially when you read something like "how do you take a bath?" or "I have lots of friends here. Some are tall like a house, and some are short, but I like them anyways." Other times you feel your heart wrench at how considerate some of the letters are; "Try not to get hurt, ok? One thing the earth doesn't need is more hurt people." Or "You make me confident in everything. You make me feel safe in what I do." Statements like these are raw and real emotions that children are pouring out in their letters to these men and women in Iraq.

It is so inspiring in reading about the concerns children can possess for people they don't even know, as well as the innocence of a child when they ask the most simple of questions because they are truly interested in what type of food these men and women like to eat, and where they live, and what they do in their spare time when they are not being soldiers.

I found myself laughing on one letter, and crying on the next. Not only is this book a compilation of letters to our soldiers, I believe it is also a small piece of the positive side of life; an inside scoop into a child's creative mind as it spills over onto the letters with which they write; "I hope this letter from me will make you feel at home. I hope this letter will make you feel a little less scared. ...Whoever gets this letter, please don't die. If you do die with my letter so that will let the world know that I care for each and every one of you out there in the war."

I think Tim, says it best in his letter when he says "if you get hurt, make sure you get to a doctor!"

I saw this book in the store, read part of it...and cried..lol. This is one of the most precious things I have ever seen! As an Army wife, and a soon to be teacher, I got this book to use at home and in the classroom. AMAZING!

I bought five copies to hand out to several military units. They are morale boosters. Those kids are awesome and so endearing. Thanks doesn't do justice the range of emotion their letters caused.

Excellent book.

Thanks to the writers of the short letters/notes in the book.

Thanks especially to all our Troops around the world, keeping the U.S. free.

"I pray for you every night before I go to bed."

While volunteering to assemble care packages for our troops serving in Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom, Barbara Warfield Baldwin and her daughters came across heartfelt and compelling letters to the troops from local children that served to brighten the Baldwins' days. Dear Soldier is the compilation of many of these letters and pictures.

Meant to uplift the troops' spirits as well as boost the morale of the general public, Dear Soldier will have you reading out loud to whomever is in the room. The honesty and sincerity of kids is great. With phrases like "I hope that yall find that Osama Bin ladin," and "My brother says that he wants to be in the war. I'm thinking I might join him," you can see why these letters mean so much to our troops. And with lines like, "you might think I'm stupid but I made it to forth grade so I make A's and B's, so there," you can't help but laugh and share.

These letters and drawings are photocopied so you don't only get to read them, but see the handwriting and erase marks. Seeing what is important to the children as they were writing is precious. My primary criticism is that for some reason a couple of letters were repeated in the compilation. But don't let that sway you.

Armchair Interviews says: This is a great book to give as a gift, especially to our serving troops.

This is such a wonderful book and as vet of Viet Nam War I really appreciate the authors for doing this book. Whether we support the war or not we need to make sure the veterans aren't treated awful like many from my generation were. These are brave men and women who are at war to help keep our country free. I personally do support the war and President Bush's efforts to defeat the terroists. I have been involved helping veterans over 30 years.

My friend and I bought these books to send to soldiers overseas. From the outpouring of thank you's we got they very much appreciated.