Honoring Veterans: Serving Those Who Serve by Karen Bowen is a children’s book that is both entertaining and engaging. It is also beautifully illustrated by Olha Tkachenko. It is indeed very creative, and the lovely drawings help us feel what the characters experience. It is the story of two boys, Sam and Miguel, who try to find Miguel's father, who marches with his platoon during a Veterans Day parade. As they go, the boys are presented with moments of history, appreciation, and community service that complete their understanding of the day's importance.

Honoring Veterans: Serving Those Who Serve by Karen Bowen is not just about World War I but about all veterans. I love the clear and detailed information about the Veterans Day Parade. However, the plot does much more than just follow the parade: it subtly introduces children to the larger symbolism and traditions of Veterans Day. Kids learn about the meaning of poppies, how care packages are assembled for soldiers, and even the Marine Corps' motto. The book is completed with thoughtful additions: a glossary to clarify the most significant terms, a list of discussion questions to provoke thought and help us (parents, teachers) teach children, and the addition of John McCrae's famous poem In Flanders Fields, which anchors the history in literature. These turn a lovable and interesting story into a fabulous tool for teaching American history and culture. This children's book will delight kids, their parents, and teachers! It is a gem of a book.

Honoring Veterans: Serving Those Who Serve is a well-written children's book by Karen Bowen about two young boys, Sam and Miguel, as they experience a Veterans Day parade and participate in a community service project. Miguel's dad is a veteran, and the parade means a lot to him. The book uses their conversation to teach the history and meaning of Veterans Day, the significance of the red poppy, and the origins of Armistice Day. Sam and Miguel were able to learn about different branches of the military and some meaningful ways to show gratitude and respect to military heroes, like packing care boxes and writing letters.

This was indeed a fun read. I love how the author added history and complex veteran topics in a way that is accessible for young readers. The poems included made it full of life and gave me a deeper connection to the history behind the Veterans Day Parade. Karen Bowen did not just tell; instead, she showed in a detailed manner what it means to honor veterans, using Sam and Miguel to show it. Her writing is detailed, on-point, and fun. The illustrations were visually appealing—colorful and full of small details that children can spend time looking at. I recommend Honoring Veterans: Serving Those Who Serve to parents and teachers who want to teach children about gratitude, patriotism, and the importance of remembering those who have served the country. It is about honoring veterans, not just on a single day, but with continuous appreciation.

After reading both ‘Honoring Veterans’ and ‘The Worn-Out Flag’ I can express an honest love for these stories. They are fun and educational. They encourage the next generation to have pride in patriotism. As a Marine Corps veteran, I will absolutely be recommending these stories to all families with kids. Maybe an adult or two might learn something new as well!