Brave Like Me by Barbara Kerley

Remember how I once said I didn't like books with photograph illustrations? Well I lied. I LOVE THIS BOOK. I seriously can't get through it without tearing up.  

This book is a collection of photographs about children who have to be brave when their parent(s) go off to fight war or are stationed overseas. 

When someone is serving their country

 far from home, they have to brave. 

Their families have to be brave.

Even their kids have to be brave.

Like me. 

Before leaving, they spend a lot of time together. 

And then they say goodbye. 

Seriously, how can you not be a little weepy at these pictures? 

And then they're gone.

The house is too empty.

Who is going to take care of me? 

Yep. Teary. 

Sometimes I'm scared Mom will get hurt.

But I know she's really careful. 

Letters, skype, calls. 

At least we live in the age of Skype.

Doing their best so their parents can be proud. 

Aaagh! Writing to his kids. 

And this one. Gets. Me. Every. Time. 

Partly because I know a girl with that same dress. Which makes it that much more real. 

The homecoming. 

And then, at the back of the book, we see a little map of all the people in the pictures and where they lived and where their parents went on duty around the world. I love that they used real kids and tell their real story.

I love that this book exists.