Operation: Care Package: A "Sunday Spotlight" Children's Book Review
- Jolene Phillips
- Apr 19
- 6 min read
It’s time for “Sunday Spotlight.”
This is where I highlight a children’s book I genuinely love, sharing my perspective as both a mom and a counselor.
Each Sunday Spotlight includes:
a brief summary of the book
an honest, real-life review
and simple, meaningful ways to weave social-emotional learning (SEL) into story time
These ideas work whether you’re reading at home, in a counseling office, or in a classroom.
If you click on the pictures for the book, you will be taken to the page where you can place your pre-order.
This Week’s Pick: Zooming Zoey & Wingman Willie’s Military Adventures, Operation: Care Package, written Maria Volodkevich and illustrated by Garry Vaux
I’ve been following along with this book for months, eagerly waiting for the official preorder date, and I appreciate Maria sending me a PDF copy so I could feature it on the blog this week. It did not disappoint. When I first saw Maria share her work in a children’s author and illustrator group, I immediately knew it was a story I wanted to highlight. With my personal connection to the military community, I’m always drawn to books that support and uplift military families in meaningful ways.
Maria, an Air Force veteran, brings such heart and authenticity to this story. One of my favorite elements is how she empowers children to see themselves as “little heroes” within their families. Growing up in a military family comes with unique challenges, and this story honors that experience while making it approachable, engaging, and even fun for young readers.
This story follows Zoey and her friend Willie as they race against the clock to put together a birthday care package for Zoey’s dad, who is deployed overseas. With only a few hours before the post office closes, the two dive into their mission, facing mishaps, messes, and plenty of unexpected moments along the way.
They carefully choose snacks and create heartfelt crafts, all while navigating spilled cookies, tipped-over glue, and last-minute challenges. What I love most is how they respond to these challenges. Instead of getting discouraged, Zoey and Willie adapt. A spill becomes an opportunity. A mistake becomes part of the magic. It’s a beautiful reminder that things don’t have to be perfect to be meaningful.
Creating a care package is such a powerful way to show love and appreciation to someone serving, and this story captures that in a way kids can truly connect with.
From a Counselor’s Chair:
There are so many meaningful layers in this story when viewed through a social-emotional lens.
Zoey’s crafts, in particular, are incredibly touching. She traces her hand because she misses holding her dad’s. She draws him as a superhero because that’s how she sees him. These are simple yet deeply expressive ways for children to process big feelings when missing a parent.
Willie’s role is equally important. While the package is for Zoey’s dad, Willie is fully invested in supporting his friend. He helps cut, encourages her, and works through problems alongside her. This dynamic sends a powerful message: support doesn’t have to come from adults; friends can be a steady, compassionate presence, too.
It also opens the door for conversations about teamwork, empathy, and being there for someone during difficult moments.
The final piece I want to highlight from this book is the act of creating a care package. In high school, I completed a year-long “senior project” that required us to propose an idea, develop a plan, gain approval, carry it out, and present our results. For my project, I organized the creation of 25 care packages to send overseas.
I coordinated a donation drive with classmates and teachers and provided a list of suggested items. I also partnered with local elementary school classes, where students wrote letters to the service members who would receive the packages. Additionally, I worked with the Women’s Auxiliary of my local Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter to help cover shipping costs. Once everything was assembled, I delivered the care packages, along with the shipping funds, to my local American Red Cross for distribution to service members from our nearby Air Force base.
Each package included a personal letter expressing my gratitude for their service. While this project was on a larger scale, the experience itself was incredibly meaningful. I honestly still have the letters I received in response to these care packages and will never get rid of them. It reinforced just how powerful small acts of kindness and connection can be, for both the giver and the recipient. Below are some ways that kids can get involved (on a smaller scale).
Ways Kids Can Support Service Members & Veterans
This story naturally invites kids, both military-connected and not, to think about how they can give back.
Here are a few simple, meaningful ways:
Create Care Packages: Include snacks, small games, hygiene items, and handmade crafts or letters. Even a simple drawing can mean so much.
Write Letters or Cards: Words of encouragement, gratitude, or even just sharing about their day can brighten someone’s time away from home.
Get Involved in Community Efforts: Partner with schools, local organizations, or groups like the American Red Cross or the Veterans of Foreign Wars to support drives or events.
Support Veterans Locally: Participate in community events, create thank-you cards, or learn about local veterans and ways to show appreciation.
3 Simple Ways to Add Social-Emotional Learning to Story Time
Here are a few meaningful ways to extend learning and connection after reading:
Talk About Feelings
Pause throughout the story and ask questions like, “How do you think Zoey feels right now?” or “Have you ever missed someone like that?” This helps children build emotional awareness and connection.
Practice Problem-Solving
When things go wrong in the story, ask, “What would you do?” or “What else could they try?” This encourages flexible thinking and resilience.
Create a Connection Activity
After reading, invite kids to make their own “care package item,” a drawing, note, or craft for someone they love. This reinforces empathy, expression, and connection.
A Meaningful Release Moment
One of the most special details about this book is that it was intentionally made available for preorder during the Month of the Military Child. That timing feels incredibly fitting, as this story so beautifully highlights the strength, resilience, and heart of military kids.
Stories like Zoey’s help bring visibility to the experiences of children in military families, which often go unseen. Releasing this book during a time dedicated to honoring those children adds an extra layer of meaning and purpose.
In that same spirit, I’ve also created a set of simple, meaningful activities for Month of the Military Child. These are designed to help kids better understand, support, and celebrate military families in age-appropriate and engaging ways.
Brave Hearts Toolkit: Designed to help kids build emotional awareness, coping skills, and resilience
Home Is Where We Are Relocation Packet: Supports children through moves and transitions
Love Across the Miles Letter Writing Kit: Encourages connection during deployment through guided letter writing
I’ll include links for these at the end of this post for anyone who wants to extend the conversation or bring these themes to life at home or in the classroom.
Final Thoughts
Operation: Care Package is more than just a sweet story; it’s a meaningful tool for connection, understanding, and emotional growth.
It beautifully highlights the realities of military family life while keeping the tone light, hopeful, and empowering. Through Zoey and Willie’s journey, children are reminded that even small acts, like a drawing, a snack, or a kind word, can carry big love.
Whether you’re part of a military family or simply looking for a story that builds empathy and resilience, this book is a wonderful addition to your shelf. It opens the door for important conversations, encourages creativity, and reminds kids that they, too, can make a difference.
Want to See a Book Featured?
If you have a book you’d love to see featured, are a children’s book author yourself, or know an author who might enjoy having their story reviewed, I’d love to hear from you.
Feel free to reach out anytime at guidedbygiggles@gmail.com 💛
Let’s keep celebrating stories that help kids grow, one giggle (and page) at a time.
Click the picture to grab your copy of Operation: Care Package.
Grab ready-to-use activities here: These were created for the Month of the Military Child but can be used year-round.
Comments