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.

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.

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!

I thought that this book was excellent.

It is well written, easy to follow and understand and it has some lovely illustrations. It really showcases the excitement that they go through ahead of them coming back, the wait, making the poster, baking their favourite cupcakes, etc.

The book focuses around the return of the children's daddy who is coming home following service completed overseas. It is a lovely tribute to them and what the families go through and how much they miss their family member that is serving personnel.

It is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended!