5 Minutes for Books: America’s White Table
Each November 11, our country acknowledges the sacrifices made by and honor given to our military personnel on Veteran’s Day. For many families, military service is a fact of life for their children, and for others, it’s an abstract concept that might be difficult for young children to comprehend. Margot Theis Raven’s picture book America’s White Table fits the bill in either case, in affirmation or as a resource.
I was personally unaware of the concept of “the white table,” set in military dining halls since the Vietnam War as a remembrance of the service men and women who have been held as prisoners of war or are missing in action. Set with specific meaningful items, the white table holds a special place in the hearts of our soldiers. In this story, three sisters assist their mom in setting a white table in their home for a Veteran’s Day dinner to be shared with their uncle who served in the Vietnam War. Their mother gently explains the concept and tells the story of their uncle’s experience as a prisoner of war. While tackling an obviously heavy subject, this book does so in a compassionate and sensitive manner, conveying the importance without being graphic or political.
Interspersed throughout the book are the first verse lyrics to “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee,” printed lightly and apart from the story’s text, almost like visual background music. The soft illustrations evoke emotion, and the color palette matches the quiet and reverent tone of the story. In what I’m seeing as a trend with many of the Sleeping Bear Press releases, an informative page appears at the end of the book providing more context and history, which I see as a fantastic springboard for discussions between parents and children after reading the book together.
America’s White Table emphasizes honoring, remembering and respecting our service members, perfect for Veteran’s Day, and every day. The lovely folks at Sleeping Bear Press are offering up three copies for giveaway (U.S. and Canada only, please). To be entered, leave one comment here. Feel free to publicly acknowledge your own loved ones who have honored our country with their service. We’ll announce the winners in the book column next Monday.
5 Minutes for Books staff reviewer Dawn’s own father Grant Courchaine and grandfather William Dery were proud members of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army respectively. Family and books are common themes on her blog, my thoughts exactly.
The winner of last week’s book, The Carousel Painter, is #12 Angie.
48 Comments
My dad is a veteran and I didn’t know about this… ‘course he never talks about it either.
I have never heard of the white table either. I would love to read this book to find out more!
How interesting! I’ve never heard of the white table. I’d love to learn more!
I’m a veteran.
This sounds like a great book! My dad was a vetran, he never spoke much of it either.
I’m so intrigued with this!
I’d love to win this to share with my son. My father is a Vietnam veteran and my grandfather is a WWII veteran who landed on Utah Beach on D-Day. My son loves hearing stories from his grandpa and great grandpa, and I think the whole extended family would enjoy reading this book together.
I think this book looks wonderful. I would love to share t with my boys. My dad who just passed away in September was a veteran.
My grandpa, who has since passed on, served in WWII. I honestly don’t know much about what he did – he and my father didn’t get along – but I can still say with pride that I have a veteran in my family.
This sounds like a very interestig book. I have not heard about the white table and would enjoy reading this book and learning more about the tradition.
Being the daughter and wife of a veteran, I’ve known about the white tab;e a long time, but I never knew there was a book! Fantastic!
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My dad was a veteran; my husband is a veteran and yet, I’ve never heard of the white table. Thanks for the opportunity.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
I have never heard of this either. Married to a Marine (23 years in) and my dad and his dad are both Navy guys. I may have to learn more about this before Wednesday!
I have never heard of the white table and would love to read the book. I can proudly say I have 2 veteran uncles. God Bless Them all.
WOuld love to share this book with my family
Wow, I had never heard of this. How fascinating. Can’t wait to read and learn more. God bless those who serve!
We love books. Would love to add this to our collection.
My Dad was a Korean war veteran and I have also never heard of The White Table. I would love to learn more.
sandym204@ gmail dot com
My own dad was a veteran. I have read amazing reviews on this book and would love a copy to share with my family.
Sounds like a very interesting book, thanks for the entry.
My husband left this morning… headed to Iraq. We have always had a moment of silence at the military balls when they honor “the white table.”
I had never heard of this tradition. I would love to add this book to my collection. Both my father and grandfather served in the military. Thanks to all who have served and are continuing to serve our wonderful country providing us with the freedom we have.
juli
uffdauff@msn.com
Looks like a great book. We went to a Veteran’s Day parade yesterday, and it would be fun to share this book with my daughter, too.
Posted about the giveaway at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2009/11/americas-white-table.html
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
Please count me in. My fiance is in the army.
Sounds like a very interesting book. I’d love to share it with my son. My husband served in the Marines until just a few years ago.
I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
My father & 4 of 3 of his brothers served during WWII. Each in a different branch of the service
plb8156@aol.com
Please enter me. Thanks to all our brave men and woman who keep us safe.
My grandpa is a veteran and I am so proud of all he has done to serve our country!
I never heard of the white table before I would love to read more about it
My father in law and husband are veterans.
I have never heard of a white table and would love to read this book. My in laws were both WW2 vets Navy and Marines, my father was a Marine and my stepson is currently serving in the Marine Corps.
Looks like a great book
Looks like an interesting read.
My father and my father-in-law both were in WWII. My father-in-law was even captured at the Battle of the Bulge and held in a POW camp until the end of the war. Our family is very patriotic and appreciative of everything that service men & women do and sacrifice for our country.
I’ve never heard of the “White Table” but would love to read this book and share it with family members. Thanks so much!
This looks really interesting. My father-in-law is a veteran of the Korean war as were two of my uncles (now deceased).
Please enter me
My dad is a veteran, as were both of my grandfathers, but I’d never heard of the white table. Would love to read the book.
That is interesting, I have never heard of this before.
My father in law saw service in WWII and I had not heard of the white table until today. I would like to share this book with others.
I’ve never heard of the white table, thank you for a chance to win a copy
I would love to read about this. I love history.
We have many veterans in our family but I have never heard of the white table cloth.
I never heard of The White Table, but would like to learn about it.
Must admit I have never heard about this but would like to learn
I have not heard of it before now – would love to read it and learn more!
I’d love a chance to win this! Thank you!
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[...] leave a comment to enter. We’ll announce the winner in next week’s column. The winners of America’s White Table are #10 Cathy, #3 Katy, #23 [...]