Hero Mom

Book review by Tracy Moore, Common Sense Media
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Common Sense says

age 5+

Simple book has positive message for kids of military moms.

Melinda Hardin Picture Book 2013
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Parents say

age 9+

Based on 1 review

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this book.

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What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Hero Mom is a picture book geared toward the children of enlisted servicewomen who are absent due to deployment. Though it portrays them in a positive light as soldiers who do important, difficult jobs, the subject may be a difficult one for children having trouble adapting to long or frequent separations from mom. There's a companion book, Hero Dad, by the same author and illustrator, Melinda Hardin and Bryan Langdo.

Community Reviews

Lelouch Vi Britannia
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December 1, 2018
age 9+

Gamers Rise Up

A heartfelt story of a family of gamers. The father and son of the family have to go to join their comrades in the furry war, and the mom and sister are left alone. The mother immediately gets to the kitchen and becomes a head sandwich provider, and she teaches her daughter as well. One day the daughter falls ill, and yet the mother keeps making sandwiches in the kitchen. This is what makes her such a hero, the determination to stay put and do her job. The book is full of excellent role models for both girls and boys. However, it sometimes fails to highlight the horrors of the war and the dangerous natures of the furries. Do to this fault it’s not the best read for the situation we’re currently in. Other than that it’s quite a good book and can teach kids their roles as gamers or whatever allied group they associate with.

This title has:

Educational value
Great role models
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What's the Story?

In HERO MOM, a diverse range of children discuss how proud they are of their military moms and the ways in which the women resemble heroes or superheroes for their courage and skill during deployment.

Is It Any Good?

Hero Mom takes a difficult subject -- family separation during deployment -- and presents it as a point of pride for children. Kids can explain to others that their mothers are gone but are doing something extremely important, whether they're transporting cargo, repairing aircraft, or leading a battalion. The book makes a point of showing the way moms who are deployed show love for their children with letters or by email or video chat. And the soft watercolor illustrations give the book an expressive, sentimental feel.

For kids missing their moms overseas, Hero Mom can help instill a sense of pride in their moms' line of work. For parents, this can be a way to broach a tender subject and open up a dialogue about managing the separation.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about separation. Have you been separated from your mom or dad for a period of time due to their work, travel, or deployment? How did it make you feel?

  • How do you stay in touch when your mom or dad has to leave for a period of time?

  • Families can go online to the National Military Family Association website to learn more about talking to kids of all ages about deployment.

Book Details

  • Author: Melinda Hardin
  • Genre: Picture Book
  • Topics: Superheroes
  • Book type: Non-Fiction
  • Publisher: Two Lions
  • Publication date: April 2, 2013
  • Number of pages: 24
  • Available on: Paperback, Hardback, Kindle
  • Last updated: September 21, 2015

Our Editors Recommend

For kids who love picture books and family stories

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