The message delivered through this story shares the simple acts of love represented by daily activities, simple gestures, and playful moments such as hide-and-seek. Representation of diversity matters a lot; this is one of the reasons Dad’s Home and Ready to Play celebrate the joys of reunion along with the diversity of all families who serve the country in different ways.

Dad’s Home and Ready to Play shows one type of family but also represents other family types to feel included. It highlights one parent coming home from the military while still including universal emotions experienced by many and gives the universal message of love being found in the smallest acts of daily life…even as simple as playing hide and seek. Young readers will become familiar with the challenges of military life, and those who share a similar story will finally feel recognized.

Connection between all readers

Children with civilian parents become familiar with the fact that not all parents come home every night; this representation plants the seed of empathy. However, it also teaches them that love doesn’t require a parent to be present 24/7, and simple gestures can often mean more than grand ones. In this era of constantly changing environments and circumstances of life, books are one of the strongest and safest ways to prepare children for reality. Stories like this reassure the common ground that ties everyone together.

Small moments, universal message

A family relearning itself through daily simple activities is what makes this book special, there are no complicated dialogues or drama, just simply a father walking through the door and his daughter playing hide and seek and the son doing house chores, this sounds simple but leaves a strong message… that love doesn’t have to be loud, sometimes it’s just giggles and a helping hand all that matters is that the family is finally together. Every reader can relate to these simple gestures; the reconnection after long periods apart is not dependent on grand celebrations, and the gift of being present in that moment is enough.