PURPLE UP!

Kids whose parents have served in the armed forces are recognized with a day honoring their sacrifices.

When a group of friends witness a camouflage-clad mom saying goodbye to her family before leaving for military service, they wish desperately that they could help. Some research leads them to a website for Purple Up! Day, which is observed on April 15. The kids’ efforts widen from their school to the entire town, until a full celebration takes place, including a Hero Wall on which people place posters and photos honoring not just military families, but also first responders and teachers. An author’s note explains the origin of the day, which began in New Hampshire in 2011. Notably, children are never referred to here as “brats,” the traditional term for military kids. The sentiment is heartfelt, and the collagelike illustrations express love for kids who keep their families going in the absence of a parent. The text isn’t consistent—it can’t decide if it’s a rhyming book or not—and there aren’t any named characters to get to know, but those are small quibbles for a title that laudably spotlights a group of children who don't always get their due. The military family at the center of this book presents Black, and one of the children uses a wheelchair. The community is diverse.

A solid explanation of a growing movement to recognize military kids.