Veterans Day is U.S. federal holiday that honors American veterans of all wars – whether or not they currently serve. It gives us the opportunity to show our gratitude for the sacrifices they made to protect our freedoms. Veterans Day picture books provide a way to share this important holiday with students.
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Veterans Day Picture Books
Veterans Day Picture Books
When Your Daddy's a Soldier by Gretchen McLellan
This story shares what you can expect when “your daddy’s a soldier” — that you like to wear camo like him but sometimes he has to work far away and go to war and you might cry. While he’s away, you send him pictures and letters, and he writes back when he can. And the day better than your birthday is when your daddy comes home!
Tuesday Tucks Me In by Luis Carolos Montalvan
Luis experiences post-traumatic stress disorder and other disabilities. His service dog, Tuesday, helps Luis’ nightmares and balance as he walks down the subway stairs. This picture book follows a typical day in the life of Luis and Tuesday from breakfast to bedtime. It’s a wonderful introduction to service dogs.
Veterans: Heroes in Our Neighborhood by Valerie Pfundstein
Veterans: Heroes in Our Neighborhood is an engaging rhyming book that will help your students with appreciation and mindfulness about those who have served.
Hero Dad by Melinda Hardin
Hero Dad tells the story of a boy who compares his father, a U.S. soldier, to a hero. But other superheroes wear army boots, drive tanks, and go away for long trips to make the world a safer place. It’s a tough job, but superheroes can do it.
Hero Mom by Melinda Hardin
The moms in the book are superheroes. They may not leap over tall buildings, and they may not have super-human speed. But these moms construct buildings, fly planes, and make tanks roll. They do all kinds of things to help create a safer world. These superheroes are moms. Military moms. Hero moms. These two books make a difficult and tender subject more accessible to children with parents serving far from home.
Night Catch by Brenda Ehrmantraut
Night Catch tells the story of a soldier’s work takes him across the world from his son. He uses the North Star to still play “catch” with his son.
The Poppy Lady by Barbara E. Walsh
When American soldiers entered World War I, Moina Belle Michael, a schoolteacher from Georgia, knew she had to act. Some of the soldiers were her students and friends. Moina worked to establish the red poppy as the symbol to honor and remember soldiers. And she devoted the rest of her life to making sure the symbol would last forever. Thanks to her hard work, that symbol remains strong today.
Tucky Jo & Little Heart by Patricia Polacco
Tucky Jo was known as the “kid from Kentucky” when he enlisted in the army at age fifteen. Being the youngest recruit in the Pacific during World War II was tough. But he finds a friend in a little girl who helps him soothe his bug bites, and he gets to know her family and gives them some of his rations. Although the little girl doesn’t speak English, Tucky Jo and Little Heart share the language of kindness. Many years later, Tucky Jo and Little Heart meet again, and an act of kindness is returned when it’s needed the most in this touching picture book based on a true story.
Sergeant Reckless by Patricia McCormick
It’s the middle of the Korean War and the Marine soldiers needed help carrying heavy ammunition. They can’t find a donkey, so they get a little horse who eats everything in sight. The soldiers train her to carry, backup, and duck fire, rewarding her with food. When the war ends, her soldier friends make sure she comes home with them. This is a true story of a horse who received 2 Purple Hearts and was the only animal to hold a military rank!
Help your students learn more about Veterans Day and those who serve our country with these picture book read alouds.
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