Book For The Military Child

A Special Book for Special Children

Each year, United Through Reading connects the military community through the power of shared stories, but each April we do something extra special.

Our Book for the Military Child initiative unites military parents, caregivers, and children around a single reading experience—celebrating the courage and resilience of military children worldwide and reminding them that they serve, too. Military kids face unique experiences like frequent relocations, loved ones often away for long periods, and emotional and academic challenges. At UTR, we know these special kids deserve a special book!

Make It a Storytime to Remember

Service members can record themselves reading the book using the free United Through Reading App—keeping family bonds strong, wherever duty takes them.

Here’s how you can join in:

• Download the App to record your storytime and instantly send it to your child.

• Read along with a digital copy of the book right in the App.

• Watch our Spotlight Storytime available in the App of Sometimes Apart, Always in My Heart for inspiration.

• Request a free copy of the book after recording so your child can follow along.

With 13,000 copies distributed each April across military bases, libraries, and events, this initiative helps ensure every military child feels seen, heard, and connected—no matter where their story unfolds.

2025 Featured Book

Sometimes Apart, Always in My Heart: Helping Military Families Send Love from Far Away beautifully captures the strength and connection of military children through every separation. Join us in reading it this year!

Sometimes Apart, Always in My Heart is dedicated to the brave service members who sacrifice so much to defend our freedom—and to the children who wait for their loved ones to come home.

Written in rhyme by bestselling children’s author Tish Rabe and beautifully illustrated by award-winning artist Gill Guile, the book introduces the Bear Family, who discover new ways to stay connected while Daddy Bear is away on a military assignment.

This heartwarming story captures the love, courage, and resilience that help military families count down the days until they’re together again. You can purchase Sometimes Apart, Always in My Heart on TishRabeBooks.com.

FAQ

Click on the question below for more details.

What is Month of the Military Child?

The Month of the Military Child, celebrated each April, honors the strength, resilience, and sacrifices of children in military families. Established by the Department of Defense in 1986, it recognizes military children's important role in the armed forces community and raises awareness of their unique challenges and contributions.

It’s a time to celebrate and support military kids who serve alongside their families, often facing frequent moves, parental deployments, and life transitions with courage and adaptability.

When did United Through Reading Launch its first Book for the Military Child?

What is the purpose of the Book for the Military Child?

Each year, United Through Reading brings the military community together through the power of stories. Our Book for the Military Child initiative unites military parents, caregivers, and children around a shared reading experience. Our goal is to recognize the courage and resilience of military kids worldwide by uplifting them and acknowledging that they serve, too.

We’ve chosen one book yearly since 2023 and use April’s Month of the Military Child to kick off the yearlong celebration. This year is unique in that we specifically commissioned Sometimes Apart, Always in My Heart for us. Follow along on UTR’s social channels for news and updates.

How can military families access the Book for the Military Child?

Over 12,500 families will receive a copy of the book this April during Month of the Military Child. We have worked with military commands, installations, and partner organizations to distribute the book in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, and locations throughout Asia and Europe. Families may also view a video of the book being read through our Spotlight Stories, which is available to registered UTR App users.

Active Story Stations received copies of the book for service members to utilize for storytime recordings to send to their children.

Military-affiliated families who use our app to record stories can request a FREE copy of Sometimes Apart, Always in My Heart. Learn more about our app and start making recordings to keep you connected and reading together here.

Where can I purchase the latest Book for the Military Child?

Who is Tish Rabe?

Tish Rabe (pronounced "Rah-bee") is a best-selling children’s book author, songwriter, and television writer. Trained as an opera singer, Tish sang for Jim Henson’s Muppets in New York. Sesame Street was looking for children’s books, and she wrote her first children’s book, Bert and the Broken Teapot, for them and has written over 185 books since. She is well-known for continuing the Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library after Dr. Seuss passed away and for her ability to blend fun with educational content. Visit TishRabeBooks.com.

Sometimes Apart, Always In My Heart Press Coverage