I Move A Lot and That's Okay: Axel's Story

by Shermaine Perry-Knights

Looking for a book to teach kids about anxiety, flexibility, and coping with rapid relocation? Here it is! I Move A Lot and That's Axel's Story is perfect. Meet Axel, an energetic boy, who moves a lot because of his mom’s job in the Army. Although he loves new adventures, Axel struggles with leaving everything and everyone behind. He has to adapt quickly to a different culture and make the best out of life far away from home. While this book features a military child, its message of resilience and hope are universal themes that help all children to overcome obstacles more easily.

39 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2021

Reviews

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Axel as the title suggests a 7-year-old boy learning that being uprooted and moving all the time is not all bad. It teaches skills to deal with moving to new places and experiencing the fears and scariness that comes with the unknown. It also shows just how resilient kids of that age are.
Axel’s mixed emotions and anxieties are real are all valid when he must move again because his mum is in the Army. Why does he have to move again? Why can’t he stay with his friends? Where will his new home be? What will it be like? Will he make friends? What will his new school be like?
I Move A Lot and That's Okay: Axel's Story is a delightful heartwarming colourful picture book is seen through Axels eyes as he shares his concerns and fears as he is helped by his family to overcome them and learns to see them and embrace them as an adventure.
Not having to go through the same struggles it was an interesting read and a valuable story for anyone moving at a young age.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Axel’s mom is in the Army. He is seven years old, and his family is getting ready to move to Italy. Of course, this is scary for a little kid, but he takes it in stride and with a positive attitude.

This beautifully illustrated picture book walks children through the process of going through a permanent change of station (PCS). There is a lot that happens and a lot of shuffling from one place to another, temporary housing and living out of suitcases. For military families, this becomes normal, but small kids do not always understand why this happens and can be angry and afraid of the changes. Axel walks through each step, sharing his feelings, concerns, and things he is excited about. The reoccurring line through this story is Axel saying, “I am okay with that” when faced with situations, only a few times is he not okay with things.

Author Shermaine Perry-Knights explains the moving process in a way that makes things less scary. She validates the concerns that children have when going through this process. It is really great that the author acknowledges the challenging things like stuff going missing or breaking in a move. These situations are not limited to military moves, so the story is relevant to all children faced with moving.

This heartwarming story shows how moving can become an adventure. It talks about how challenging life as a military kid can be and shows how amazing the experiences are. The artwork in this picture book has vivid colors, and the detail work really adds to the story.

I Move A Lot and That’s okay: Axel’s Story is a phenomenal picture book for children dealing with a move. While centered on military families, it can apply to many situations, the concerns, fears, and joys.

[Simone Strydom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I MOVE A LOT AND THATS OK! (Axel’s story) Written by Shermaine Perry-Knights is truly a heart warming story about making a big move from a child’s perspective. Axel has his friends, school, regular places he likes to go with his family but where are they moving to next?

This is a beautifully illustrated book that takes a child’s hand, walking them through the process of a permanent change of station (PCS) and having to go to a temporary lodging facility (TLF) Making it one big adventure rather then something for axel to be scared of.

Shermaine takes time and explains the moving process and addresses worries that a child may have when going through this process. It is really interesting and great to see how Shermaine brings challenging topics forward for axel and his parents. You see a really beautiful balance of things that he is not okay with, then a sense of unforced acceptance, plus a sense of joy in things that he is okay with. These words a continuous flow through the book “I’m okay with that” or “that’s okay” this book has a special place in military families it’s true and I’m so glad this book is out in the world for them this book though, is one that can be used to help guide feelings and situations that are not limited to military moves.

As someone who is a civilian but has had move often and honestly loved the adventure of it all I can say “I move a lot and that’s okay”.

[Trina Bagley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Axel is 7 years old and lives with his mom and dad. His mom is in the Army and right now they’re stationed at Fort Benning in Georgia. In this book, Axel describes what it’s like having to move a lot by being a military kid. When his mom gets new orders, she says they’re going on an adventure. Their new adventure is taking them to Naples, Italy. Axel goes through the story telling us what he must do to get ready for this new adventure. There are things that make him sad, like having to say good-bye to his class and his best friend, Kerrington. But his teacher told him he can write letters to his class and Axel’s okay with that. There are also things that make him happy like learning new things and he gets to take his stuffed Stegosaurus, Kody, on the plan with him. However, when they leave the airport, Axel realizes that he left Kody on the plane and now he must start this new adventure alone.
This book is dedicated to the military child because the author has had these experiences. It tells the children how important they are to each other. Axel has learned to accept the changes and even though there are things that make him sad, he knows how important it is to be supportive. The illustrations are so colorful and help tell this story. I think this is a great story to help military kids with having to move so much and to prepare them in case this is all new to them.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I Move a Lot and That’s Okay- Axel’s Story by Shermaine Perry-Knights is an illustrated children’s story book aimed at children whose family move a lot. Here Axel’s mother is in the military- so Axel and his parents have moved a lot as his mother’s job means she has been stationed at different army bases, over 7 the years since Axel was born.
The book contains an adventure that imparts important life lessons- teaching children about coping with rapid relocation, dealing with anxiety, being flexible/adaptable, resilience, overcoming obstacles, making friends, , and making your own fun. Along the way we also learn some military terms, and a few Italian phrases.
As I have come to expect from all Ms. Perry-Knight’s books, the story is accompanied by some cute, bright, and colourful illustrations- which add plenty of interest to the whole book, helping to make it a very engaging read.
Happy Reading…

Thank you, Shermaine Perry-Knights!

[Kerry Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really resonated with me in a way that I didn’t expect. Although I was not a military child, I did grow up in a military town and had to witness many people go through exactly what this book was describing. I thought the author did a great job of capturing what Axel was feeling and portrayed it in a way kids could understand.
We read these books out of order but it didn’t seem to matter. For us, it was nice to get an insight into what Axel was like outside of his move. It really made us all connect with the character even more. It is unusual for me to get so invested in a children’s book but I am definitely in all the way with this series.

[Jaimie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great book that not only teaches kids about military families and them moving a lot, but it helps kids know how hard it can be to move a lot and how to cope with that some. This book follows Axel and his family as them move from one military base in GA, USA to Italy. It teaches you a little bit of the military lingo and the process of each move. Axel is brave and excited about a lot of things, but he is also sad moving away from friends. But that's okay. He can write to his class and keep a memory book with all his friends. There are more books to this series that I can't wait to read with my girls. Grab them all for some great bedtime stories with your kiddos!

[Britney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Move A Lot And That's Okay: Axel's Story (Axel's Story Series) by Shermaine Perry-Knights - Review by Britney Humphreys

5 Stars

My girls and I love the books by Shermaine Perry. They taught my kids about the military lifestyle, showed them that kids in military families need a little more love and kindness when they first arrive at a new place, and they are low-key jealous that they do not get to move to different countries.

The books give practical information in a way that is easy for kids to understand and enjoy. They also learned a few Italian words by looking at the back of the books. They now want to learn about Italy in their homeschool geography class.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Move A Lot And That's Ok : Axle’s Story
by Shermaine Perry-Knights
5 stars
This is a cute book about being a military brat. All the moving and how things are always changing. Definitely a good book to help explain things to kids. I read this to my five year old who was asking me about moving in the military. Her brother is on active duty and sometimes the moving confuses her. This was a great book to explain how things change and can stay the same. Looking forward to the next book by Shermaine Perry-Knights

[Rita White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Axel is a 7 year old boy whose mama is in the military and they have to move a lot. This book shows the struggles of being a child having to move with his family for the military. Axel has a good attitude but is going to miss his friends and school, his teacher, his home, and many of his everyday life adventures. It shows that kids can have anxiety about grown-up life choices that affect them. He is a trooper and is excited and scared. When they get to Italy, he sees that it's going to be okay and that he will like living there.

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another book that I sure wish we had had when I was younger. Having grown up as a military kid, this would have helped with transitions. It’s a wonderful story that helps explain transitions and how they go. There are bright illustrations that will hold onto the child’s attention. This is really a neat series of books that helps kids understand a little about being a military family and having to move around a lot. A winner in our house.

[Arianna Westmoreland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book with my two sons - D (age 6) and S (age 3).

A review from an actual kid:
D (age 6) - ”Axel’s mom is in the Army so he moves houses and towns a lot. Sometimes he misses his friends from his old house.”
S (age 3) - “He misses his friends.”

We gave this book 5 out of 5 stars. If you are looking for a children’s book that talks about the feelings and emotions associated with relocating as a military family, look no further!

[Shanita Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect Story for Military Children

I love this story! It's perfect for military children who have to move around alot. This book would definitely help them to get through all of the changes and help them see that everything will be ok. The book even educates us on military terms and teaches some Italian. Great book!

[Natcole Staskiewicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read!

Moving is never easy on a child. This story is told from the perspective of a child in a military family. Goes over Axel's emotions and experiences when his family has to relocate. An enjoyable book kids will enjoy the illustrations and the message in finding the positive of the situation.

[Kelli Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book for young kids and even a bit older, who are part of a military family or friends with military kids and want to know/understand some of what military kids and families have to do to be a part of the military. Very good story and fantastic illustrations. Axel is excited yet nervous to move so far away from his friends.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for kids that are dealing with the anxiety or sadness of having to move whether it’s just down the street or halfway across the world. It gives children the tools to cope with the feelings that come with moving. It helps kids with military families to feel like they aren’t alone. It helps ease some of the anxiety that can come along with moving or having to meet new people.

[Shubham Shekhar Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice read for empathy

I really enjoyed this peak into a different kind of life. My kids and I had a lot of Conversation around how hard army life can be and what sacrifices soldiers make every single day and ad a family. A wonderful read for kids... For ages 7+ I would recommend.

[Wendy Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book for children who move a lot

This book but a deep cord for me because it reminded me of when I had to move as a 7-year-old. This book would be good to give a kid who is about to move.

[Chester Sing · Rating 5 out of 5]

insightful!

Moving to a new place to live can be hard for kids, and this book is an insightful take on how to look at the positive side. It’s from the child’s point of view and can surely help kids cope with the sadness and uncertainty of moving.

[Maria Georgieva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended book for children that move schools

I loved the book and it’s really touching to see how Axel copes with the change. This will make it the perfect read for my daughter, who is also 7 years old and will be moving schools soon.

[Marci Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

What a great book to help military kids associate moving. They get to see new places, make new friends and to be okay with all of these changes

[Micalah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I move a lot was a great book. It was well illustrated, covered real, sensitive subjects, and got its point across. it’s okay to do all of these things even if you feel scared or nervous. I did think it was just a tad bit wordy for a children’s book and the ending was a little abrupt.

[Cazzy Zahursky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart felt and important

I Move A Lot and That’s Okay:Axel’s Story is a heart touching story, told for little Axel’s perspective. Axel’s mom is a soldier in the army and their family has to move a lot. Readers follow Axel on his latest move to Italy and his emotional journey of coping with the changes brought with the move. He also learns to embrace some of the changes and similarities. This is a relatable story for any military “brat” and even a great story for non military children as they too can learn the world of military child.