Sign-In
Cart
Through The Quiet Shadows: Military Kids & Mental Health Series
Paperback
Series: Courageous Kids, Book 2
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: Sep 12 2025
Pages: 34
Weight: 0.30
Height: 0.09 Width: 8.50 Depth: 11.00
Language: English
Through the Quiet Shadows is a gentle, 32-page picture book for Black children ages 5-10 that helps them understand and cope with feelings of depression, anxiety, and loneliness when a parent is deployed.
The story follows a young child whose parent has been sent away on military duty. While the parent is gone, the child begins to feel quiet shadows - sad, heavy feelings that make playtime less fun and bedtime harder. Sometimes the shadows whisper worries: What if Daddy doesn't come back? or What if Mommy forgets me while she's away?
With support from a caring parent at home (or grandparent/guardian), the child learns how to name their feelings, use small coping strategies (deep breathing, drawing, journaling), and hold onto hopeful reminders of their parent's love. The story uses shadows as a child-friendly symbol for depression and anxiety, while light and color return gradually to the illustrations as the child practices healthy coping.
By the end, the child understands that shadows may come and go, but they are never truly alone - love, hope, and family bonds shine brighter than fear.
Themes & Messages
Normalizing big feelings (sadness, worry, loneliness) during deployment.
Teaching coping strategies kids can actually use (breathing, drawing, talking, keeping photos nearby).
Affirming love and connection despite physical distance.
Symbolism:
Shadows = depression and anxiety
Light = love, hope, coping tools
Also from
Geolingo, Yolanda Denise
When Daddy's Storms Come Home: A Story for Military Kids About Love, Family, and Healing
Geolingo, Yolanda Denise
Paperback
Also in
General Juvenile Fiction
Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book Two the Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book Two)
Riordan, Rick
Paperback
Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book One the Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book One)
Riordan, Rick
Paperback
Anne of Green Gables, 3-Book Box Set, Volume I: Anne of Avonlea; Anne of the Island; Anne of Green Gables
Montgomery, L. M.
Paperback
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Sea of Monsters, The: The Graphic Novel
Venditti, Robert
Riordan, Rick
Paperback
Mary Anne Saves the Day: A Graphic Novel (the Baby-Sitters Club #3): Full-Color Edition
Martin, Ann M.
Paperback
Claudia and Mean Janine: A Graphic Novel (the Baby-Sitters Club #4): Full-Color Edition
Martin, Ann M.
Paperback
Dog Man: Big Jim Believes: A Graphic Novel (Dog Man #14): From the Creator of Captain Underpants: Volume 14
Pilkey, Dav
Hardcover
Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories 2: From the Creator of Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Kinney, Jeff
Hardcover
Investigators: Agents of S.U.I.T.: Sew Much Trouble
Green, John Patrick
Hastings, Christopher
Hardcover
Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy: A Graphic Novel (Wings of Fire Graphic Novel #1): Volume 1
Sutherland, Tui T.
Paperback
Dog Man: Big Jim Begins: A Graphic Novel (Dog Man #13): From the Creator of Captain Underpants: Volume 13
Pilkey, Dav
Hardcover