Second Edition - what's new?

We've modified the Spanish text, added Spanish to the Patch activity, added literary awards, and updated the Links page. Plus, we've added a link to motivate students ages 8 to 17 to find a free, local orientation flight in a private airplane!

Segunda edición - ¿Qué es nuevo?

Modificamos el texto en español, agregamos la traducción de español a la actividad final, agregamos premios literarios y actualizamos la página de enlaces. Además, hemos agregado un enlace para motivar a los estudiantes de 8 a 17 años a encontrar un vuelo de orientación local gratuito en un avión privado.

A little boy named Marco is walking to his bedroom in pajamas carrying his stuffed puppy dog when he notices his mommy in an olive-green military flight suit. His curiosity about the colorful patches on her uniform evolves into a sweet, reassuring bedtime conversation between a military mother and her child about why she serves and what she does in the unusual KC-135R aerial refueling airplane. He drifts off to sleep with thoughts of his mommy in the airplane and the special surprise she gave him stuck to his fleece pajamas.

This unique book was written by a Latina military officer who served for a decade as a U.S. Air Force aviator. It's the first-ever bilingual children's book, in English and Spanish, about why mommies wear military uniforms and serve in the armed forces.

For creating this much-needed series that show that women, Latinas and moms are military veterans too, the author's first language (Spanish) and her learned English language, Graciela was recognized by the White House as a Woman Veteran Leader, Champion of Change. The Captain Mama picture book series can be found in schools, libraries, and homes in 47 of our 50 United States and several countries abroad.

This ground-breaking book received the following awards: "Best Educational Children's Book - Bilingual" category at the 2014 International Latino Books Awards held at the 2014 American Library Association National convention, Bronze Medal at the Military Writers Society of America Book Awards, "Children Ages 12 and Under" category and the Silver Medal at the 2014 Moonbeam Children's Book Awards (Independent Publishing Awards) in the Languages/Cultural category. In addition, author was honored by the White House as a "Woman Veteran Leader Champion of Change."