We want your potholders!
Books about Starting School and Making Friends
by Karin Tramm, MAMF Director of Education
Soon thousands of military-connected students will hear the bell ring for the start of the 2025-26 school year. Excited faces, the smell of new crayons, and Boo-Hoo Breakfasts are fond first day memories from my years working in DoDEA schools. One third of the student body is new every year and a diversity of students thrive in an environment of acceptance and respect where all learners are welcome. To all of our military connected families, stateside or overseas, MAMF wishes a happy and healthy new school year, new friends, and new memories!
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We Don’t Eat our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins
It’s the first day of school for Penelope Rex, and she can’t wait to meet her classmates. But it’s hard to make human friends when they’re so darn delicious! That is, until Penelope gets a taste of her own medicine and finds she may not be at the top of the food chain after all. . . . Readers will gobble up this hilarious story. |
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The Seeds of Friendship by Michael Forman
Adam feels alone in the strange new city. He misses his old friends and the colors of his faraway home. It’s fun to build snow animals with children in his new neighborhood, but Adam’s concrete surroundings still make him wish for something more. So when a teacher gives him a few seeds, it plants an idea in him—an idea that could transform his gray world forever. |
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The Word for Friend by Aiden Cassie
Kemala the pangolin is sure she’s going to make friends at her new school in her new country. After all, Kemala loves to talk. The kids at school like talking, too–but their words are all different. This country speaks a language Kemala doesn’t know. At first, no one understands Kemala either. This realization makes her curl into a little ball, like most pangolins do when they’re nervous. But soon, Kemala is learning the most universal language of all: friendship
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The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
Being the new kid in school is hard enough, but what happens when nobody can pronounce your name? Having just moved from Korea, Unhei is anxious about fitting in. So instead of introducing herself on the first day of school, she decides to choose an American name from a glass jar. But while Unhei thinks of being a Suzy, Laura, or Amanda, nothing feels right. With the help of a new friend, Unhei will learn that the best name is her own. |
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All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold Discover a school where all young children have a place, have a space, and are loved and appreciated. Follow a group of children through a day at school where everyone is welcomed with open arms. A school where students from all backgrounds learn from and celebrate each other’s traditions. A school that shows the world as we will make it to be. |
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The Pigeon HAS to go to School by Mo Willems
Why does the Pigeon have to go to school? He already knows everything! And what if he doesn’t like it? What if the teacher doesn’t like him? What if he learns TOO MUCH!? |
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Exit Strategy By Lauren Allbright
Twelve-year-old Ross tries to discover the formula for being funny and getting his new classmates to like him in this laugh-out-loud MAX novel! |
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One Kid’s Trash By Jamie Sumner From the acclaimed author of Roll with It and Tune It Out comes a funny and moving middle grade novel about a boy who uses his unusual talent for decoding people’s trash to try to fit in at his new school.
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Wechselnde Ausstellungen im Rathaus
Seit Januar gibt es im ersten Stock des Rathauses eine Reihe von Ausstellungen, die von Dr. Circe Olson Woessner, Direktorin des MAMF International Humanities Center, gestaltet wurden. Jeder Monat steht unter einem einteiligen Thema. Das Thema im Januar lautete „Frieden“, im Februar „Liebe.“ Im März, „Gelegenheit“ war eine ausführliche Ausstellung über den WiS Ehrenbürger Walter Hahn. Die Familie Hahn arbeitete mit Dr. Woessner zusammen, um Walters außergewöhnliche Geschichte zu erzählen. Die Ausstellung „Kreativität“ im Juni/Juli zeigte Töpferwaren und Kunstwerke von Weil im Schönbuch Künstlerin Ulrike Gotowicz. Das Augustthema ist die Natur und ist ebenfalls eine Zusammenarbeit zwischen dem Museum und der Weilerin Ulrike Gotowicz. Die US-Malerin Ceilon Aspenson gestaltet große Poster, die jede Ausstellung begleiten. Die wechselnden Ausstellungen sind während der regulären Öffnungszeiten des Rathauses zu sehen.
Changing Exhibits at City Hall
Since January, the first floor of City Hall has hosted a series of exhibitions designed by Dr. Circe Olson Woessner, Director of the MAMF International Humanities Center. Each month has a single theme. January’s theme was “Peace,” and February’s was “Love.” In March, “Opportunity” was an in-depth exhibition about Weil im Schönbuch honorary citizen Walter Hahn. The Hahn family collaborated with Dr. Woessner to tell Walter’s extraordinary story. The June/July “Creativity” exhibition featured pottery and artwork by Weil im Schönbuch artist Ulrike Gotowicz. The August theme is nature and is also a collaboration between the museum Ulrike Gotowicz. American artist Ceilon Aspenson designs large posters to accompany each exhibition. The changing exhibitions can be viewed during City Hall’s regular opening hours.
Books about moving for military-connected kids
Karin Tramm, MAMF’s Director of Education has created a list of books about moving. Here are four books and their descriptions. For the complete list, click on the link.
“I strive for predictability and routine for my students. As military kids, their lives are a series of upheavals as a result of moving out, moving in, deployments, and living in a foreign country. Strangers boxing up favorite things, living on loaner furniture, and heartbreaking goodbyes are hard enough on adults; on children it can be exponentially more difficult. It makes me happy that school is a safe place where they know what to expect when things at home are unraveling and unpredictable.”
–excerpt from 100 Days Smart by Karin Tramm
NEW! Resources, news, and stories for military teens
NEW PROGRAMS COMING!
“Military-connected teens have unique needs due to deployments, frequent moves, and other challenges associated with military life. The Museum of the American Military Family seeks to share resources designed to support and strengthen military-connected youth while navigating these transitions.”
Karin Tramm, MAMF Director of Education
https://www.bloommilitaryteens.org/
MAMF’s former Student Liaison Shanon Hyde wrote a great book, Dear Military Teen, to help military teens succeed in High School and college. It can be purchased on Amazon:
Kids’ Books and Media Resources about Deployments & Military Life
by Karin Tramm, MAMF Director of Education
BOOKS ABOUT DEPLOYMENT
Author | Title | Reading Age |
Andrews, Beth
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I Miss You!: A Military Kids Book About Deployment | 2-5 |
Ayyar, Kristin | Countdown ‘til Mommy Comes Home
Countdown ‘til Daddy Comes Home |
5-6 |
Betcher, Krista | Star’s Purpose (also in Spanish) | 4-8 |
Carson, Heather | When Dad is Deployed
When Mom is Deployed |
? |
Cino, Cortney | Finally Home | 3-8 |
Cook, Julia | Deployment: One of Our Pieces is Missing | 3-11 |
Ehrmantraut, Brenda | Night Catch | 2-6 |
Greer, Joshua | While You’re Away I’ll Be Brave | 4-9 |
James, Dominique | When You Are Away | 4-8 |
King, Becky | I’ll Lend You My Daddy | 4-8 |
Lawrence, Trista | When Daddy is Away: Days of Deployment | ? |
Linhart, Sandra Miller | Momma’s Boots | ? |
McClinton, Jacob and Krystle | Sometimes I Have to Go | 2-8 |
Mills, Stephanie | My Dad the Hero | 1-12 |
Page, Dollie | Our Time Apart: A Children’s Book About Military Deployment | |
Robinson, Rachel | Deployment Guide for Kids 4th ed. | 7-12 |
Rodriguez, Christina and
LaBelle, Julie |
My Mom’s Deployment: A Deployment and Reunion Activity Book for Young Children
My Dad’s Deployment: A Deployment and Reunion Activity Book for Young Children |
2-5 |
Thill, Jennifer Neilsen | Why I Must Go | 0-18 |
Tinsley, Tamika | My Daddy is on Deplyment | 5-12 |
Thomas, Morgan | Daddyland | 0-11 |
Walker, Chandelle | Daddy Left with Mr. Army: A Child’s View of Military Deployment | 2-11 |
Winters, Erin | Sometimes I Want a Hug | 0-8 |
Wright, Tom | Daddy Goes on Deployment | 2-8 |
BOOKS ABOUT MILITARY LIFE
Author | Title | Reading age |
Ackerman, Laura Jo | Yes, I am a Military Child | primary |
Barnes, Jessie | Coloring my Military Life Book 2 | 7+ |
Biden, Jill | Don’t Forget, God Bless Our Troops | 3-7 |
Brown, Milla | My Hero, My Parent: A Coloring Tribute to Military Families | any |
Caggiano-Hollyfield, Kelly | My Mommy’s in the Military: A Reader Book for Military Moms | 3-6 |
Castro, Ruth Gonzales | Here We Go Again: A Children’s Book About Moving as a Military Child
My Mom Wears Combat Boots |
3-10 |
Collier, Bird | I’m From Everywhere | primary |
Elva Resa | Military Life: Stories and Poems for Children | all |
Falvey, Daniel and Mrs. Julie Hutt’s 4th grade class | Letters to a Soldier | 9-12 |
Fox, Tahna Desmond | My mommy is a sailor | 0-12 |
Gibson, Shavonne | Purple Up: We Serve, Too | 0-10 |
Gomez, Johanna and Daniel | The Adventures of a Military Brat: My Military Life | 9-11 |
Gosser, Joanna | PCS Penny | 0-12 |
Grey, Talulah | Daddy’s a Soldier in the Army
Mommy’s a Soldier |
2-10 |
Hardin, Melinda | Hero Mom; Hero Dad | 4-6 |
Harrington, Claudia | My Military Mom | 0-8 |
Havorka, Sarah
|
Camouflage Mom: A Story About Staying Connected | 3+ |
Johnson, Susan | Our Military Family | 8-10 |
Joy, Marina | Buddy the Soldier Bear | 4-8 |
Kerley, Barbara | Brave Like Me | 4-6 |
Lefebvre, Randy | Moving to a New Military Base | intermediate |
Mahaffey, Brooke | I’m a Dandelion: A PCS Story for Military Children | 4-10 |
Mayer, Kally | My Daddy is a Soldier: Sweet Rhyming Bedtime Picture Book | 2-6 |
McElroy, Lisa Tucker | Love, Lizzie: Letters to a Military Mom | 4-8 |
Miller, Matthew E. | My Daddy My Soldier
My Mommy My Soldier |
6-12 |
Moren, Zandra | It’s PCS Season: Riley’s Journey to Discover PCS Season
It’s PCS Season Again |
5-12 |
O’Brien, Kevin B. | Military Kids on the Move | 7-13 |
Page, Dollie | We’re Moving …Again: A Children’s book About Military Relocation | 6-10 |
Pelligrino, Athens E. | The Military Child Chronicles: Mission: My PCS Overseas | 0-12 |
Perry-Knight, Shermaine | I Move A Lot and That’s OK | 5-10 |
Puttbrese, AnneMarie | My Mommy is a Hero in Uniform | 4-8 |
RP Kids | Mini Military Series Board Books (4 books, Lil’ Air Force Pilot, Lil’ Soldier, Lil’ Sailor, Lil’ Marine | 1-6 |
Rodriguez, Christina | Coloring my Military Life Book 1 | 4-8 |
Scillian, Dvin | H is for Honor: A Military Family Alphabet | 6-9 |
Scweizer, Amy | I Will be OK: Adventures of a Military Kid
|
4-8 |
Sheerger, Sarah | Purple Up: We Salute Our Friends | 4-8 |
Sipos, Jennifer and
Freeland, Jennifer Rose |
Duck and Rabbit ABC (also in Spanish) | 0-4 |
Skolmoski, Stephanie | A Paper Hug | 0-5 |
Smith-Brown, Brianna | Rhett and Tango: Tales of a Military Kid | 8+ |
Stewart, J. | My Military Family | |
Straton, Connor | Military Families | |
Thompson, Brittany | My Military Life: A Coloring Book for Brave Kids | 3+ |
Tiscareno-Sato, Gracelia | Good Night Captain Mama; Captain Mama’s Surprise; Taking Flight with Captain Mama (also in Spanish)
|
4-9 |
Tovad, Tessa
|
My BIG Military Move | 4-8 |
Weber, Teri | Fly with MyTai; Moose on a Mission;
Toad the Tanker (also in Spanish) |
4-8 |
Zhao, Moran | My Dad is a Soldier | 5-8 |
Websites:
https://sesamestreetformilitaryfamilies.org/
https://sesameworkshop.org/topics/military-families/
https://adventuresofamilitarykid.com/
https://tinytroopssoccer.com/helpingmilitarykidsdeployment/
https://www.operationwearehere.com/childrenbooks.html
https://milmomadventures.com/a-poem-to-our-military-kids/
Back to school:
https://militarychild.org/resource/guide-to-understanding-military-connected-student-transition/
https://militarychild.org/for-education-professionals/
https://militarychild.org/resource/back-to-school-toolkit/
Read alouds and videos:
https://sesamestreetformilitaryfamilies.org/topic/deployments/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HI1AMomhO6A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWIjhfjtjCU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=Ev1eWaMLtn4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvOv5T-nPz8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6bK2ayZIBo
MAMF Launches Resources for Military Kids
NEW PROGRAM COMING SOON!
MAMF Director of Education, Karin Tramm, is creating resources and activities for military-connected teachers and students. MAMF will be posting stories, photos, by and for military kids.
“The Museum of the American Military Family strives to provide ideas and activities that celebrate and support the unique needs of our military-connected students. From building resilience, fostering connections, coping with transitions and deployments, or just having fun, our goal is to provide resources to enrich the lives of our youngest learners.”
–Karin Tramm, MAMF Director of Education
Check out some of the artifacts in our collection
The museum is digitizing and cataloging its art collections
Thanks to grants from New Mexico Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts, in 2023 the museum had some of its artifacts professionally photographed. In 2025 MAMF’s high school intern Nathan began work researching the artifacts and creating graphics so that we could display the items on our various social media platforms. Be sure to check out the Collections Tab on this website under “Our Programs and Exhibits.”
Please consider a donation to MAMF
The Museum of the American Military Family, relies on grants and the support of individuals and groups to do its work of preserving history and providing programming to the public. We are an all-volunteer-run organization that provides paid internships to students. As we prepare for the opening of our Workspace in May, we kindly ask you to support our work by making a donation of any amount to honor a “brat” or two in your family! If you’re unable to donate, please consider sharing this fundraiser on your social media. MAMF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so your donation is tax-deductible. Thank you very much in advance for your support!
You can mail in a check, donate directly through our Facebook page DONATE BUTTON, or via Pay Pal or Venmo at this link.