11 Ways to Ruin a Photograph: A Military Family Story

When her father goes soldiering for a year, a girl decides that without Dad at home, it’s not a family photo album. Though her beloved Nanny is in charge of the album that year, the girl makes sure that photographs of her never turn out well. Photos are blurred, wind blows hair in her face. April rains bring umbrellas to hide behind. Halloween means a mask. This poignant, yet funny family story expresses a child’s anger and grief for a dad whose work takes him away for long periods of time. It’s a tribute to the sacrifices made by military families and to those who care for children when a family needs support.

Listen with your classroom for military and patriotic holidays

• Veteran’s Day
• Armed Forced Day
• Patriot’s Day
• 4th of July

Understand military families who serve the United States

• Gratitude for their sacrifices 
• Understand the family challenges
• Support for deployment

Children’s book author and writing teacher Darcy Pattison gives tribute to the sacrifices made by military families and to those who care for children when a family needs help. She says, “My father was a Japanese POW during World War II. Also, I have lived near the Little Rock Air Force Base for years, and watched families as fathers and mothers deploy. I have a glimpse of the struggles facing military families, and feel a deep gratitude for the sacrifices these families make.”