The book We Serve Too!–A Child’s Deployment Book was inspired by Kathleen’s desire to provide a book for her grandchildren, when her son joined the army and later was deployed to Iraq. While passing a playground in town, seeing children climbing the nets, much as soldiers do in training, an idea sparked. It seemed a good place to start, to connect the common everyday experiences of children to the things their parent might be doing while deployed. Children love the familiar and find comfort in relating to the absent parent in this way.
Paula caught the vision for the story and suggested it be put into verse, which she masterfully accomplished. The rhyming and rhythm makes the book fun to read, while at the same time making it less tedious for the adult who will have to read it over and over! She also designed the layout of the pages to accentuate Kathleen’s clever and touching illustrations.
A major publisher showed interest in We Serve Too! if only the two authors would tone down the flag waving. Instead, Paula and Kathleen formed Wee The People Publishing, LLC and published We Serve Too! *themselves* with the help of Kathleen’s son, Ryan of Redesigns . The result is a quality, patriotic book to give honor and courage to our nations little heroes!
We Serve Too! 2–A Child’s Reunion Book is a book that speaks to a child’s heart about reunion, that long anticipated day…and the not so easy days later. Our Military ABC’s Coloring Book, lets the kids have fun by learning the Military alphabet with the well loved characters they have come to know in the series.
Our latest book, released in March 2011, We Serve Too!–The Homecoming Box is a story featuring our Homecoming Box workshop and activity, making and using a special box to keep stories safe while a parent is away.
On deck is We Serve Too!–Little Daisy’s Worst/Best Day as story of relocation.
Things are always brewing at We Serve Too! You never know what will happen next.
Our mission is to honor the service of those who give much more to those of us here at home than we can ever give back. We hope to help children through a difficult time in a family’s life by acknowledging that they serve too, by honoring their sacrifice, and reminding them that their country is behind them.
In our parent section of the web site, you will find page-by-page discussion guides for each book which adults can use to take advantage of questions and open doors that occur while reading to a child. They offer helps for the adults who are walking with a child through these difficult times of separation, and ups and downs of reunion, and the uniques situation which arise in the life of a Military Kid.
While written with military children in mind, this book has been a valuable read for civilian children as well, giving them a glimpse into the unique life of a Military Family. It has served as a link between military and civilian families in our communities.
Besides, laughter and smiles, we have seen these books bring tears from time to time. Our prayer is that they may be healing tears that bring forth joy.
