“Dr. Seuss for Military Brats” Picture Books Help Children Coping with Deployment at Ft. Benning

New York, NY October 25, 2005 — Books for BratsTM creator and author, Michelle Ferguson-Cohen, is scheduled to appear as part of the weekend long celebrations for God Bless Ft. Benning Days. The author, a proud military brat who was born at Ft. Benning, will read her You’re My Hero! titles, especially written for the children of her community , in a series of reading events over two days.

November 18
12:00 – 1:30 Columbus Public Library (Macon Rd.)
2:30 – 3:30 Waldenbooks (Peachtree Mall)
4:30 – 6:30 Barnes & Noble (Whittlesey Blvd.)

November 19
1:00 – 2:00 God Bless Ft. Benning Days (Family Fun Area)

Across the country and the globe, children of military personnel are being confronted with the difficulties of having a parent deployed in the service of our country. Ferguson-Cohen wrote Daddy, You’re My Hero! and Mommy, You’re My Hero! to help military families and children talk about deployment.

The books are unique, because they speak from a child’s perspective. They address issues of separation in a simple manner to assure and comfort small children thereby helping to prevent feelings of helplessness, and provide language to help small children express emotions associated with this event.

Since the titles were first published in 2003, they have made fans of thousands of military children, their families, and are endorsed by educators and childcare professionals. Now with the 2005 release of the new board book editions, children continue to enjoy these picture books and their message of pride.

“Sometimes in the throes of politics, policies and opinions about war, people forget about the children,” says Ferguson-Cohen. “These books are a tribute to these families who can’t forget. This much-ignored community, who need and deserve our compassion and support.”

With “suddenly military” families on the rise and depending on local civilian communities for support, Ferguson-Cohen is pleased that her books are becoming popular in the mainstream and being read in classrooms with children of non-military families.

“Education is always the first step toward understanding,” says Ferguson-Cohen. “In America we have learned to live together through tolerance. Especially as adults, there is much we can do to avoid putting the weight of war on children.”

Ferguson-Cohen is the daughter of a retired Army General who served two tours in Vietnam, as well as the granddaughter of a soldier killed in action during WWII.

The two titles are the first in the Books for BratsTM series for children of parents in military and public service brought to you by Little Redhaired Girl Publishing. As a service to the military, National Guard and Reserve communities, FRGs are given special discounts and a multimedia version of the book is available to read online free of charge to facilitate immediate need.. Books for BratsTM titles are available online at and www.booksforbrats.net and through retailer stores nationwide and online.

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For more information, please contact: booksforbrats@aol.com or 917.640.2844

The 101 Cavalry Veterans Association and Friends of the 101 Cav, Operation Home Front made a generous donation of our “Daddy, You’re My Hero!” books  to the nearly 100 children of its soldiers affected by the deployment of a parent or family member.The donation of books took place during an FRG Summer BBQ event on June 26, 2004 at the Staten Island Armory.

The author and illustrator, Michelle Ferguson-Cohen, made an appearance to read  for the children in attendance and signed books for all.The fun summer event was organized by Amy Maniscalco , A. Co. Family Readiness Group Leader and Maureen Howley , HHC Family Readiness Group Leader Attendees to the event also including FRG leaders from Somerset New Jersey and Counselors from local area schools.  We look forward to sharing more from some of these organizers about their programming and how they keep their FRGs going.