St Paul , MN: In The Wishing Tree, a new picture book by author Mary Redman and illustrator Christina Rodriguez, a young girl faces her father’s long deployment. Amanda understands that her dad is making the world a better place, but it doesn’t make their time apart any easier.

As her dad begins his year-long deployment, Amanda’s not sure what she can do to make the deployment feel a little easier. Even her mom’s suggestion of ice cream sundaes for dinner every week doesn’t lift her spirits. After mulling over ways she can support her dad, Amanda decides to create a wishing tree, writing her hopes and prayers on ribbons and tying them to its branches. As Amanda wishes for her dad to enjoy good meals, make new friends, and return safely, the little tree comes to life with yellow ribbons of hope.

“When a parent deploys, children can feel helpless, worried, and proud all at the same time,” said Mary Redman, military spouse and author of The Wishing Tree. “It’s my hope The Wishing Tree gives kids a sense of empowerment during their loved one’s deployment.”

"This beautiful, heartwarming picture book delves into the feelings of loss when a parent is deployed, the power of hope and prayer, and the joy of homecoming,” said Christy Lyon, publisher.

Wishing Trees exist in many cultures as a way to bring people’s innermost thoughts and prayers to life. Amanda uses her wishing tree to express her feelings while her dad is deployed for a year. Children can also create wishing trees to stay connected to parents traveling for work, grandparents who live far away, and even special friends between visits. For more information and ideas about wishing trees, visit www.elvaresa.com/wishingtree.html.

About the Author

Mary Redman has experienced many joys and challenges as a military wife and mother over the past 20 years. She has managed pack-outs, given birth, visited emergency rooms, heralded holidays, bid farewell to grandparents, and attended numerous school events while her husband was deployed. Military life gave Mary many unexpected opportunities, from attending the running of the bulls in Spain to teaching English in Japan and exploring American history with her family in Virginia . She lives on Long Island with her husband and three boys, where she spends much of her time attending soccer games.

About the Illustrator

Born overseas to multicultural parents, Christina Rodriguez grew up as an Air Force brat, moving from place to place. Christina loved to draw and paint. She was awarded a generous scholarship to the Rhode Island School of Design where she earned a fine arts degree in illustration. Christina is an award-winning children’s book illustrator and in her spare time enjoys cooking authentic Mexican cuisine, volunteering, hula-hooping, and being outdoors. She and her husband live with their dog in historic Stillwater, Minnesota.

The Wishing Tree is available from local retailers as well as Amazon.com and www.MilitaryFamilyBooks.com.

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ELVA RESA PUBLISHING LLC is an independent publisher based in St Paul, Minnesota, whose mission is to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Its primary imprint specializes in books for and about military families. For more information, visit www.elvaresa.com.

Buy this book at www.militaryfamilybooks.com.