About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the physical absence of a loved one, whether due to military deployment, moving away, or loss. It is a poignant tool for teaching historical empathy and the enduring power of written communication in maintaining family bonds across great distances. By following the correspondence between two brothers, Tom on the farm and Jim at the war front, children learn that love can span any geographic or emotional divide. While the setting is the First World War, the heart of the story is the universal experience of waiting for news and holding onto hope. The book deals with heavy themes of anxiety and grief with a gentle, realistic touch that is appropriate for older elementary students. It is an excellent choice for families looking to explore their own history or for those needing to normalize the complex feelings of missing someone dearly. The interactive fold-out letters provide a tactile experience that helps ground the historical context in personal emotion.
