Reviewed by Stephanie Lynn for Readers' Favorite

Never "Goodbye." Always "See You Later!" by Valerie McNulty is a story of comfort and hope. It reminds children of military families that just because a parent had to leave for deployment does not mean that they can’t still enjoy their favorite things or that their parent will forget them. Valerie transforms this story from a simple children’s picture book to a letter from a military parent to their child. The story is told from the perspective of a father talking to his children, but the concept works for military mothers as well. There’s also a fun activity page and some resources included at the back for military families to do together. McNulty takes readers through a hypothetical conversation about what a military dad might want to say to his children, giving topic ideas and helpful reminders. She shares a little about what it’s like having to leave, from those final moments together to the long days away from home.

Never "Goodbye." Always "See You Later!" by Valerie McNulty is a touching story presented in such a beautiful way. The story acknowledges that it’s hard for both the one deploying and the family they leave behind. Valerie encourages children of military families to live their lives to the best of their abilities, but also remember loved ones who are currently serving, and find ways to share their lives and stories with them when possible. I enjoyed the story and loved how the harder topics were talked about in an empathic and gentle way for a younger target audience. The story was easy to follow and offers insight into some of the challenges that military families face in a compassionate and easy-to-understand format. The vivid illustrations by Ariel Mendez were a nice addition and complemented the story, adding a special touch. The art style is perfect for the target age group and topic. This is a beautiful and heartfelt reminder that children are loved and going away doesn’t have to be goodbye.