"My Daddy Was a Soldier: A World War II Story" is a very emotional story about a girl named Jeannie and her mother dealing with Jeannie's father having to leave to fight in World War II. During the story, the reader is shown the difficulties that Jeannie and her mother go through because of the war and because of how her father's not there. This story also dives into some of the harsh realities about this war and war in general. This story is great for children to be introduced to what war is and some of the difficult effects of it. Showing war from the point of view of a child can help children around the same age start to have an understanding of this concept and be a good introduction to the subject. ( )

My Daddy was a Soldier: A World War II Story is a picture book by Deborah Kogan Ray that presents a very real picture of life during World War II for the average American family. This book was classified as one meant for young children. I agree this should be introduced to children early on, but with caution. The parent or teacher should be just as ready as the child to have the discussions that might be prompted by this book. These discussions might include things such as what happens during war, how someone's leg could go missing, and so forth. As a whole, I felt this book was very educational and entertaining. ( )

My Daddy Was a Soldier A World War II Story Written and Illustrated by Deborah Kogan Ray
Summary
Set during World War II, this book tells of Jeannie whose daddy is sent off to the war following the attacks on Pearl Harbor. This book tells of how Jeanie writes letters to her father. It tells of some of the hardships faced by Jeannie, her mother, and her classmates during the war. It tells of how different war was for people in that time. In the end it tells of Jeannie’s father coming home from, the war.

Reaction
This book uses factual events from history that people can relate to. It uses realistic language. The illustrations represent what the author is describing in words. The book is filled with emotion. It makes readers have sympathy and empathy for Jeannie and her mother. It depicts what the World War II era was like for people in America. It shows what people had to do to make ends meet and keep from starving.

Extension Ideas
1. I would have children write a thank you note or card to soldiers.
2. I would have children describe what jobs their parents have.
3. I would have children look up a concept from World War II and write a one-page paper on it such as Pearl Harbor, scrap drives, or victory gardens.
4. I would have a soldier from the modern day come and talk with my class about going to war and how he or she communicates to family.
5. I would have children write a journal entry of writing a letter to a loved one during the war based on the book. ( )

My Daddy Was a Soldier
By: Deborah Kogan Ray

Summary: This is a World War II story about a little girl named Jeannie. It tells of how her life changed when he father was called to war. Her mother had to get a job, food was rationed, and she had to collected rubber and metal to help the war effort. This story tells of her wishes, loneliness, and fears. Jeannie and her mother wrote lots of letter to her father. They had to wait a long time to receive any mail back, because her father was so far away. Christmas was very hard for Jeannie. No letters came and she thought something terrible must have happened to her father. Finally, the war ended. America had won and Jeannie’s father was coming home!

Personal Reaction: This story was amazingly written for young children. This story was very informative, and makes it easy for a young child to understand the hardships of WWII.

Classroom Extension Ideas: This is a great story to introduce young children to World War II. I would have students write a thank you letter to a soldier.