The author of the ‘Hunger Games’ series brings us a picture book that looks at the impact of the war on the extremely young drawing from her own family history as the foundation of the book. Suzanne Collins writes of the realities of a child whose father is away at war.
In the Sunday Book review in the New York Times Danielle Trussoni enlightens us ‘Collins’s own father went to Vietnam the year she turned 6, and she’s said the experience had a profound effect on him. But though post-traumatic stress disorder is often spoken of these days, the more subtle effects of war on the children of men and women serving abroad are less well known.’
The book is both realistic and comfortable, allowing for a message to be passed on to the reader. The illustrations 
by James Proimos are beautiful and add for me a personal element to the book. I feel as though Sue, the small girl who is telling the story, has drawn the pictures – although I know this not to be true.
The book deals not only with Sue’s dad being away at war, but the realities that things change when he returns. It’s the reality of the whole experience and it’s effect on a child that Collins has captured and been able to portray in such a comprehend-able and non-threatening way that makes this book stand out.
As a whole the picture book is beautiful and perfect for children who have parents in the armed forces and just as perfect for those who don’t to gain understanding into that world. Another fantastic picture book from Scholastic Inc for children aged 4+.
For me Publisher’s weekly put it best ‘It’s a deceptively simple message of reassurance that readers who may currently be in Suzy’s situation can take to heart, whether their loved ones return changed, as hers did, or don’t return at all.’
-Leah
Release date: 9/10/13
Suzanne Collins.
illus. by James Proimos.
Scholastic Press, $17.99 (40p)
ISBN 978-0-545-42516-2
WaggaBloggas 