Red, White, and Blue Goodbye (Hardcover)

PreSchool-Grade 2–As her father, a Navy man, prepares to go to sea, a young girl describes her feelings about his departure. She doesn't want to say good-bye, and he comforts her by pointing out certain images–the red flag on their mailbox, white clouds in the sky, and blue water–that will help her remember him. Ultimately, she learns that while having her father leave is hard, there are ways to stay connected with him. The softly told story is complemented by realistic watercolor paintings. Similar in tone and theme to Mindy Pelton's When Dad's at Sea (Whitman, 2004), Tomp's book, while still warm and fuzzy, adds a main character with gumption. She hides her daddy's boondocker boots, necessary for working on the ship's deck, hoping that will keep him home. Of course, it doesn't, and he boards his ship, attired in his dress whites, carrying his sea bag. Another sensitive and caring title for those service families who go through separations from loved ones.–Pamela K. Bomboy, Chesterfield County Public Schools, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

PreS-Gr. 2. A young girl struggles with the impending departure of her father, a navy man, as he prepares to leave on a six-month tour of duty. She hides in the shed, then in his sea bag, and finally she hides his boots under her pillow. Daddy is patient with her, and, together with his daughter, he makes milkshakes, goes for walks, and takes a last trip to the ocean before he leaves. He also tells her to think of him when she sees the red flag on the mailbox, the white clouds in the sky, or the blue ocean, and after he leaves, the girl makes red, white, and blue pictures to send to Daddy overseas. The softly colored watercolor-and-pencil illustrations show the family's preparations and enhance the gentle moments that father and daughter spend together in this tender, well-paced story that acknowledges the sadness of saying good-bye. Karen Hutt
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Daddy is a navy man. He loves his family, but sometimes duty calls. And when it's time for him to ship out, it's difficult for his young daughter to accept.
 
Saying good-bye can be upsetting. But the fun moments and special rituals they share make parting easier. Daddy's uplifting red, white, and blue good-bye reminds us all that we can stay connected with our loved ones in our hearts, even when we can't be close to them in person.
 
Sarah Wones Tomp was inspired to write this book by her good friends in the military, including her husband, Tom, a Naval Reserve officer. This is Sarah's first picture book. She lives with Tom, their three fabulous children, a good old dog, a frisky young cat, and a small quiet fish in San Diego, California ... a good place to see navy ships come and go.
 
Ann Barrow is the illustrator of twenty-two books for children. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a BFA in painting and a BA in English literature. She lives with her husband, Scott; their children, Gwenyth and Patrick; and their dog, Katie, in Dartmouth, Massachusetts.