10 Great Picture Books for Military Families

by Chanel Cleeton

Photo credit: Peathegee Inc, Blend Images/Getty Images

As a military spouse, I’ve seen firsthand the unique challenges families face. Military life is full of ups and downs, complicated acronyms, long hours, and dreaded deployments. For adults, military life can be unpredictable and stressful. For kids, even more so, as they serve alongside their parents, navigating the confusing and adventurous role of a military family.

Whenever I find myself overwhelmed or stumped by a problem, I always turn to books. One of the most useful gifts I’ve received from a fellow military spouse was a copy of Meredith Leyva’s Married to the Military, a useful primer on the military. If you’re like me and find solace in books and are looking for resources to share with your children to explain military life, this list of picture books will comfort and inform. From the highs of reunions to the lows of separations, these reads are excellent resources for families along their military journey.

Which books have you found beneficial in navigating the challenges of military life?

Chanel Cleeton is the author of On Broken Wings, the newest book in her military-inspired Wild Aces Romance series. Originally a Florida girl, Chanel moved to London where she received a bachelor’s degree from Richmond, The American International University in London and a master’s degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Chanel fell in love with London and planned to stay there forever, until fate intervened on a Caribbean cruise and a fighter pilot with smooth dance moves swept her off her feet. Now, a happily ever after later, Chanel is living her next adventure.