A couple of years ago the Daily Breeze wrote a story about Sarah White, a Torrance counselor and wife of a former Marine who authored a children's book called Sammy's Soldier, intended to help kids understand what military deployment is all about. The original story is reprinted below.
Now the Torrance resident is also an author, the writer of a children's book called Sammy's Soldier, which tells the story of a boy whose father must leave his home and his son when he is deployed.
"I saw the need for it in my practice," said White, 27, a 1998 graduate of West High School. "I didn't see any books out there that help normalize what's going on (for children). I think a lot of kids are curious about the military."
The 24-page book is illustrated by Kathryn Pedroza - the daughter of a cousin of White's mother-in-law - and used White's real-life husband, Daniel, and the couple's 3-year-old son, Jacob, as models.
"It's not too often you get a book written about you and your son," said Daniel White. "I felt honored. There's very few resources for families that can help with deployment. ... It's harsh on families."
Erika Bryant, a White Point Elementary School kindergarten teacher who has known White since the pair attended El Camino College, said she found the book to be an effective classroom tool.
Many of the children at the school have parents serving in the Air Force.
"Most of the children at our school have parents who quite frequently have to pack their bags and leave, so this book speaks directly to them," she said. "The fact they have literature that represents them is very unique; it's hard to come by."
The book was deliberately kept nonservice specific, and Sammy's dad returns home safely.
"I wanted something out there without talking about the politics or the not-so-kid-friendly parts of (war)," White said.
However, she has another book in mind - one that explains the imagery of death to children, such as crosses in a cemetery.
Now White has written another children's book that sadly is also needed called "Somewhere 
Special," which seeks to explain what happens when a member of the military dies.
Special," which seeks to explain what happens when a member of the military dies.It's available at Amazon.com and www.authorhouse.com.
Here's the original story:
Sarah White is the wife of a former Marine, the mother of two young boys, and a marriage and family counselor.
Now the Torrance resident is also an author, the writer of a children's book called Sammy's Soldier, which tells the story of a boy whose father must leave his home and his son when he is deployed.
"I saw the need for it in my practice," said White, 27, a 1998 graduate of West High School. "I didn't see any books out there that help normalize what's going on (for children). I think a lot of kids are curious about the military."
The 24-page book is illustrated by Kathryn Pedroza - the daughter of a cousin of White's mother-in-law - and used White's real-life husband, Daniel, and the couple's 3-year-old son, Jacob, as models.
"It's not too often you get a book written about you and your son," said Daniel White. "I felt honored. There's very few resources for families that can help with deployment. ... It's harsh on families."
Erika Bryant, a White Point Elementary School kindergarten teacher who has known White since the pair attended El Camino College, said she found the book to be an effective classroom tool.
Many of the children at the school have parents serving in the Air Force.
"Most of the children at our school have parents who quite frequently have to pack their bags and leave, so this book speaks directly to them," she said. "The fact they have literature that represents them is very unique; it's hard to come by."
The book was deliberately kept nonservice specific, and Sammy's dad returns home safely.
"I wanted something out there without talking about the politics or the not-so-kid-friendly parts of (war)," White said.
However, she has another book in mind - one that explains the imagery of death to children, such as crosses in a cemetery.
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