MWSA Book Review

A Paper Hug

Author:  Stephanie Skolmoski

Illustrator:  Anneliese Bennion

Publisher:  Design-Ability

Reviewer: Bill McDonald – President of the MWSA

A Book For Military Families!

Okay, I admit to being a softie at times, I even cried at the movies a couple of times in my life when no one was looking. “Paper Hugs,” written by Stephanie Skolmoski and illustrated by her daughter Anneliese Bennion, is one of those simple children’s books that might moisten up your vision a little; this really very charming and sweetly touching story book. It got to me. I image that it might do the same for members of most military families that read it to their children. It is a book that needed to be written and the message is as simple and pure as a child’s love.

The story is about deployment and separation and how children miss their daddies. More importantly it is about how much daddies miss their families and children. It is a must buy for any military family who is dealing with deployment. The illustrations work well with the story line and together makes for a powerful little story for young children. I think this book could also start a trend of children making hand crafted “paper hugs” much like the “yellow-ribbons” got the public’s attention.

Bravo to the author and illustrator. This book earns the MWSA’s coveted FIVE TEDDY BEARS children’s book rating!