This is such a great book for the younger kids whose parents are deployed and coming home soon.
As a military spouse I have read a lot of these types of books but this one has great illustrations and captures those little moments of the day of.

I do believe that some of the backgrounds on the pages were too close to the white font color. using a dark font would make it more readable, especially on a screen, but other than that a great concise story.

In this sweet story, Sara finally gets to see her dad after he’s been deployed for six months. The book walks us through her nervous energy as she joins all the other military families awaiting their reunion.

Why Kirsten loves it
I love the retro-inspired illustrations in this story, but I dare anyone not to get choked up when the Marine Corps parents are reunited with their families.

I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.

This is a beautifully written and drawn picture book about the day a girls daddy comes home for leave from the Air Force. The girl and her mom and brother make signs and wait in a long line for the time to come for dad to be home. It's quite a spectacle but fun and exciting day. The book ends with the dad getting out of the plane and the kids running to him when they get the all clear. I wonderful story for kids who are waiting their parent coming back and to prepare them for what might happen.

I loved this picture book about Sara waiting to welcome her dad home from a deployment. I especially that her dad is a Marine. Growing up a Marine Brat I which picture books like this existed when I was kid. But I'm glad that exist now.

Finally Home is a great book for military families who are experiencing similar situations as the children in this book as their dad is away. The children and their mom are excitedly awaiting for the dad to come home after serving. It is unknown how long the father has been gone but the children clearly have missed him. The book is a big thank you to those who serve and the military families who also give up much as well.

Cino wrote "Finally Home" as a way to honor her own family's experiences. The book's dedication speaks to that. "To all who serve our country - thank you. With deepest gratitude, Finally Home is dedicated to you. To their families - especially the littlest ones - thank you."

"Finally Home," is a beautifully illustrated picture book, with illustrations by Tim Deberd. It details one family's experience with their father/husband returning home from deployment.

Told from the young daughter's perspective, we follow the family as they make signs, get dressed up, try to get on the base, and wait and wait for dad until their beautiful reunion.

To me, this book is a tribute to the sacrifice made by military families. How difficult it is for a parent to be away and how joyful the reunions are.

I would recommend this book for any child, but especially a child growing up in a military family to know that he or she is not alone in their life experiences.

I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

What a beautiful book -- beautiful text and beautiful illustrations -- celebrating the homecoming of the family's service member daddy/husband. I absolutely enjoyed this entire book and will be recommending it to military families that I know. This is an important and special one for sure! Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

Before I launch into my review, I would like to say a huge thank you to Cortney Cino, Whimspire Books, and Netgalley for the Advanced Digital Reader Copy of this title. For anyone with their eye on this title, here is my personal review of the book to help you decide whether you are interested or not. All opinions offered are my own.

This is the second book I have read by Cortney Cino in the past week, and the contrast is vast. I found this book to be an exquisite read that was perfect in every way. I loved the full-page illustrations that had a sepia vibe about them. I loved the anticipation the story built. And I love how the whole book came together.

I think we have all seen clips of military parents showing up to surprise their children after a long tour away. This book captures the build-up, the excitement, the anxiety, and the rush of love that comes with such a meeting. I felt the character and took her into my heart from the start. By the end, I shed a tear because of the sheer beauty Cortney had displayed on these pages.

Whilst written as a medium for aviation lovers and military families, I think it is a useful tool to share with young children whose parents don’t go away for a long time, that don’t fight for king and country and need a lesson in empathy and diverse family dynamics.

There was not a single thing to criticize about this book. I think youngsters would find it interesting. The length is suitable for the 3-8-year-old target audience. I can’t recommend this book enough, but I will start by awarding it 5 out of 5 stars.

Finally Home is a heartfelt story about a young girl eagerly awaiting her father’s return after six months overseas. As someone from a military family with a significant other, I loved how accurately it captured the emotions and traditions of a deployment homecoming—making signs, dressing in patriotic outfits, and counting down the days. The simple, age-appropriate storytelling and beautiful illustrations bring the experience to life, making it perfect for young readers, especially those with military families. A touching tribute to the love and sacrifice of service members and their families.

I received a free copy of Finally Home by Cortney Cino from Whimspire Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

As someone coming from a military family with a significant other, this book was incredible at explaining and depicting the events thats leading up to a deployment homecoming. From making the signs, the patriotic outfits, to the countdowns to the day leading up to the homecoming, this book depicted at an age appropriate level the realities that children, and families face with military deployments and homecomings. The emotions, the butterflies in the belly of the kids felt almost real with how descriptive this book was. One thing I will say, the illustrations and how they captured each important event made this book seem so surreal.

To me, the timeline of events and emotions and all things surrounding the the homecoming were correctly depicted for smaller children who wait patiently, but nervously for their service member parent(s) to come home. I believe any age of child, especially elementary school aged children with parents in the service will enjoy reading this book to prepare themselves for the homecoming!

Such a wonderfully written and illustrated story that conveys the emotions and beauty of loved ones in the military returning home!

Touching story with vintage looking illustrations. This is a great book for families that have husbands that are in the military, showcasing how they are welcomed back home.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the eARC!

Lovely book reflecting the hope & love of troop returns from deployment to their families. Definitely aimed at the US market, not reflective of UK troop deployment & returns.

Beautiful illustrations and a touching story to go along with. Due to my niece being born in coming home from the hospital the same day her dad deployed to Afghanistan for a year, it is touching to read a story from the military child’s perspective. The joyous reunions of these challenging separations, and the coinciding feelings were well touched upon in this story. I would highly recommend!

Finally Home is a short and beautiful story about a young girl waiting excitedly for her father to arrive home after 6 months of serving overseas. As someone who works with younger-aged children, I find this book simple and easy to understand. As short as it is, it is a nice story about familial and parental love. The artwork is beautiful and helps the reader understand the story. Children will love this book, especially those with a parent or family member serving in the armed forces. This is a beautifully written thank you to the serving men and women.
I received a free copy of Finally Home by Cortney Cino from Whimspire Books and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

Not related to the what the book is trying to depict but I was not really a fan of the illustration to this book or the font used. I will just add I am a veteran and my spouse is still serving and I don't feel like I would personally purchase this for my kids. If one of their parents is away, I feel like reading this book would make, at least my children, question when they are coming home unless I just saved this book for the week or days before their return.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy

I don't have any family members that have served so I don't have any personal experience with this topic, but this book was very heartwarming and a beautiful display of a military family. I especially enjoyed the illustrations and the message that the story conveys. I think this is a beautiful book to read to any child.

What an exciting time! Everyone is excited to go to the airfield to meet daddy's plane because he is coming home! The cupcakes are decorated, and everyone is in their special clothes!
The illustrations by Tim Deberd are detailed, softly colorful, and expressive.
Well suited for reading WITH someone any age including ESL, and a great gift for everyone who needs it, including a school or your local public library!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected e-Galley on Adobe Digital Editions from Whimspire Books via NetGalley. Thank you! Pub Date 05/06/2025
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This book was so wonderful! It shows great ways to prepare for a military homecoming in an age-appropriate way. As a military auntie, this would be wonderful to read to my nephews while they're missing their dad. As an educator, this is an amazing way to share what some classmates have gone through or will go through when their parent is away on deployment. The illustrations fit the story perfectly as well. I would love to get a copy of this for my classroom when it is published.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for the digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased, honest review of the book.

Finally Home by Cortney Cino is a touching and heartfelt story that beautifully captured the bond between a father and his children. The author does an exceptional job portraying the depth of love, trust and connection children have for and with their father, making it truly a moving read.

The characters are relatable & endearing, and the emotional journey of the family is one that resonates deeply. The children's unwavering belief in their father, their love shining through every challenge, specially while being away from him for a long time, and the way they inspire hope and healing in him are highlights that tug at the heartstrings.

While the story is incredibly touching and well-paced, a bit more backstory or exploration of some side characters could have added even more depth. However, this minor detail doesn’t detract me from the overall beauty of the armed forces' narrative.

"Finally Home" is a testament to the power of love and family, a story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys heartfelt, family-centered stories! Mainly from defence backgrounds.

Rating: 4.5/5