Night Catch

by Brenda Ehrmantraut, Vicki Wehrman (Illustrator)

When a soldier's work takes him half-way around the world, he enlists the help of the North Star for a nightly game of catch with his son.

Night Catch is a timeless story that connects families while they are apart and offers comforting hope for their reunion.

Genres: Childrens, Military Fiction, Picture Books, Fiction, Family

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2005

Reviews

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lyrical translation of a book that’s perfect not only for the many children whose parents are continents away in military service, but also for children whose parents are often away on business. In Brenda Ehrmantraut’s lovely picture book Night Catch, a departing soldier tells his son that they can play “catch” with the North Star (el Polaris in Spanish), with one batting the star to the other so each can enjoy the star at nightfall. Vicki Wehrman’s illustrations make this book a keeper for anyone who wants to feel a connection.

[Emily Whitmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautiful in every way! It is one of the best books about deployment that I have read. The book has a lot of rhythm and rhyming to it which makes it a great book to read-aloud to your children, and the illustrations are spot on. I have been moved by this book!

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Subgroup:Deployment
Genre:Fiction
Author:Brenda Ehrmantraut
ISBN:9780972983396
The book was a very good way for children to connect with anyone who is far away. When a boys father, who is a solider leaves, they decide to pretend to throw each other the north star and at night the will know that the other is looking up at the same star with them. It was very sweet, the pictures went well with the text, and there were no culture stereotypes. A great book for children dealing with someone who is far away.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a great book for military families facing deployment and all that it entails. The author took a difficult situation and a difficult concept and made a touching, and helpful book.

[Emily]

Beautiful story for those missing their loved ones overseas. I loved the rhyme throughout and the poignant message of staring at the same sky but feeling like a world apart.

[Jonathan O'Konek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book because it contains such an incredibly heartwarming message. As an Army veteran who deployed to Afghanistan a decade or so ago, this story is extremely meaningful and inspiring because it describes how servicemembers can connect, and share their love, with their young children, even while they are deployed to serve their country in distant lands.

My daughter and I were fortunate enough to hear Brenda Ehrmantraut read this book at our local library. It was a real treat and I loved how she reinforced the positive messages contained within this story. "Night Catch" is a book I highly recommend you read.

[Ed Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Night Catch by Brenda Ehrmantraut shows the resiliance that a military family has while a loved one is deployed. The story is a message from a parent to their child and is told beautifuly. The illustrations by Vicki Wehrman are warm and inviting.

[Cadie Holmes · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a nice story about a kid coping with deployment. But it would be better for an older kid, like 8 or 9, not the 3-year-old I read it to.

[Cali · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so few books that specifically address the issue of military deployments for kids. Please spread the word on this wonderful book. A father who leaves for duty (in uniform and later shown "at work" in a desert setting) finds a special way to let his child known they will still be connected and thinking of each other. It can be so comforting to a child to see a character in a book going through the same thing they are.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great story for a deploying parent to read with their children, providing yet another way to feel connected during the parent's absence. It's good for others to read as well; for me, I'm not sure when I'll get tapped to go away, so I read it to our girls now and will likely read it again just prior to a deployment.

[AmyLyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a poetic bedtime story about staying connected during a deployment. My kids LOVE this story. The story is simple, but the idea is beautiful and the illustrations are interesting. This would be a great book to help prepare for a deployment. In our case, I got it because my son was so worried about even the possibility of a deployment. This book has really helped him.

[Traci Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a beautiful story! It's simplicity, moving message, and colorful illustrations make a wonderful book for military kids. We made this book the theme of an FRG meeting and cannot wait for our kids to enjoy the story of how they can still remain connected to their Soldier during this deployment. http://pinterest.com/myarmylife/night...

[Noel Echols]

A little boy is comforted by his father's tales. The little boy is sad because his military father is far away.

This book could be used to help explain differing family types. The tale will help children sympathize with different family situations.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Military families would appreciate this the most.

[Sue]

Review to follow

[Josiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plot: B
Writing: A
Vocabulary: B
Level: Easy
Rating: G
Illustrations: B
Worldview: It's important to find ways to connect with loved ones who are far away.

[Narges]

I liked the idea of the book and most of the pictures BUT how would you explain all these stereotypes in illustrating “the other side of the world”?