Introducing the 2024 Book for the Military Child
April 1, 2024
United Through Reading (UTR) today announced Ty’s Travels: All Aboard by acclaimed children’s book author Kelly Starling Lyons as the 2024 Book for the Military Child, an annual designation by UTR that coincides with Month of the Military Child.
Launched last year, Book for the Military Child rallies the entire military community around reading the same book to unite and celebrate military children across the globe. Over 10,000 copies of Ty’s Travels: All Aboard will be distributed to military families around the world. It is also available as an ebook in the United Through Reading App as well as through their book ordering system on utrapp.org.
The book was selected for its ability to inspire children to read through its engaging story, lovable characters, simple, rhythmic text, and joyful, bright art.
“We’re honored to present Ty’s Travels: All Aboard by Kelly Starling Lyons as United Through Reading’s 2024 Book for the Military Child,” said Tim Farrell, chief executive officer of United Through Reading. “Kelly Starling Lyons is a phenomenal author, and we’re grateful for her shared commitment to preserving the power of reading. Our hope is that Book for the Military Child will help families connect over the shared experience of reading aloud together and that military children will be encouraged and celebrated throughout the month of April and the entire year.”
“To know that Ty’s Travels may provide solace, joy, and inspiration to the resilient children of military families makes my heart sing,” said Kelly Starling Lyons, author of Ty’s Travels: All Aboard. “It is an honor to be part of United Through Reading’s Book for the Military Child celebration. Through the power of reading, we can offer fun, empowerment, and a comforting embrace to the children and families of those who sacrifice so much for our nation.”
About United Through Reading
United Through Reading keeps military families reading-ready, no matter the distance between them. Families stay connected through storytime video recordings and books sent to military families. These stories ease the stress of time apart due to military duty, maintain positive emotional connections, and cultivate a love of reading and early childhood literacy. Service members and veterans can record a story for their family at more than 400 United Through Reading recording locations worldwide and on their mobile devices with our free and secure reading app. Since 1989, over 3 million military family members have benefited from the program. Learn more at unitedthroughreading.org.
About Kelly Starling Lyons
Kelly Starling Lyons is a founding member of The Brown Bookshelf, a teaching artist, and an award-winning author of over 30 books for young readers. Among her acclaimed picture books are Caldecott Honor winner Going Down Home with Daddy, Christopher Award winner Tiara’s Hat Parade, and Bank Street Best Books selections Sing a Song: How Lift Every Voice & Sing Inspired Generations and My Hands Tell a Story. Kelly is also the author of three popular series for young people—chapter books starring her characters Jada Jones and Miles Lewis, and the Ty’s Travels easy readers, which won a Geisel Honor for Zip, Zoom. Her nonfiction titles include two books in Chelsea Clinton’s She Persisted series, chapter books on Dr. Dorothy I. Height and Mrs. Coretta Scott King. Kelly was named to Good Morning America’s 2021 list, Who’s Making Black History. She regularly presents to schools, libraries, festivals, and conferences nationwide. Learn more at www.kellystarlinglyons.com.