• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to header navigation
  • Skip to footer navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Display Search Bar
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Facebook Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Twitter Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Pinterest Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Instagram Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on YouTube Follow 5 Minutes For Mom via RSS

5 Minutes for Mom

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Course
      • Breakfast and Brunch
      • Snack
      • Lunch
      • Appetizer
      • Dinner
      • Dessert
    • Ingredient
      • Apple
      • Beef
      • Blueberry
      • Chicken
      • Chocolate
      • Cranberry
      • Peach
      • Pumpkin
      • Squash
      • Strawberry
      • Tomato
      • Vegetables
      • Zucchini
    • Method
      • Air Fryer
      • Baking
      • Grilling
      • Instant Pot
      • No Bake
      • One Dish
      • Slow Cooker
    • Type
      • Breads and Rolls
      • Cakes and Muffins
      • Condiments
      • Cookies and Bars
      • Drinks
      • Food for Kids
      • Gluten-Free
      • Main Dish
      • Pies and Crisps
      • Salads
      • Sandwiches and Wraps
      • Side Dishes
      • Smoothies
      • Soup
  • Crafts & DIY
    • Crafts
    • DIY
    • Kids Crafts
    • Printables
    • Scrapbooking
    • Sewing
  • Family Life
    • Giveaways
    • Lifestyle
    • Marriage
    • Motherhood
    • Parenting
    • Pet Care
    • Special Needs
    • Time Management
    • Travel
  • Holidays
    • New Year’s
    • Valentine’s Day
    • St. Patrick’s Day
    • Easter
    • Mother’s Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas

5 Minutes for Books: America’s White Table

November 9, 2009 by Guest

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

ShareTweetPinPocketMail

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.

ShareTweetPinPocketMail
Win A Rock Candy Princess Electric Guitar Pack
Five Moms (and a few mommy bloggers) on Capitol Hill

Reader Interactions


Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

51 Comments

  1. FERD HAUSBECK says

    January 24, 2014 at 3:52 pm

    THE WHITE TABLE CAN IT BE BOUGHT ON DVD?

    Reply
  2. Mrs. Nellie Collins says

    September 9, 2012 at 12:58 pm

    My brother served in the Navy 1946-1950. I just recently saw the WHITE TABLE SAT UP TO HONOR VETERANS AT A SERVICE THAT HONORED VETERANS LIVING AND WHO HAD DIED .i WAS SO IMPRESSED !

    Reply
  3. Tiffany S. says

    November 15, 2009 at 8:43 pm

    I’d love a chance to win this! Thank you!

    Reply
  4. Cindy Thurman says

    November 15, 2009 at 8:23 pm

    I have not heard of it before now – would love to read it and learn more!

    Reply
  5. Linda Peters says

    November 15, 2009 at 8:14 pm

    Must admit I have never heard about this but would like to learn

    Reply
  6. John Ferris says

    November 15, 2009 at 7:48 pm

    I never heard of The White Table, but would like to learn about it.

    Reply
  7. vicky says

    November 15, 2009 at 7:13 pm

    We have many veterans in our family but I have never heard of the white table cloth.

    Reply
  8. Michelle H. says

    November 15, 2009 at 4:53 pm

    I would love to read about this. I love history.

    Reply
  9. Daniel Bates says

    November 15, 2009 at 4:24 pm

    I’ve never heard of the white table, thank you for a chance to win a copy

    Reply
  10. Sharon A says

    November 15, 2009 at 3:52 pm

    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.

    Reply
  11. Nancy says

    November 15, 2009 at 3:20 pm

    That is interesting, I have never heard of this before.

    Reply
  12. Renee C says

    November 15, 2009 at 3:19 pm

    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.

    Reply
  13. Gianna says

    November 15, 2009 at 2:16 pm

    Please enter me 🙂

    Reply
  14. Chrysa says

    November 15, 2009 at 2:14 pm

    This looks really interesting. My father-in-law is a veteran of the Korean war as were two of my uncles (now deceased).

    Reply
  15. Pamela S says

    November 15, 2009 at 1:03 pm

    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!

    Reply
  16. David Patterson says

    November 15, 2009 at 12:21 pm

    Looks like an interesting read.

    Reply
  17. Susan Smith says

    November 15, 2009 at 12:16 pm

    Looks like a great book

    Reply
  18. Katherine Frazier says

    November 15, 2009 at 12:06 pm

    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.

    Reply
  19. Mellissa C says

    November 15, 2009 at 11:54 am

    My father in law and husband are veterans.

    Reply
  20. dorothy l says

    November 15, 2009 at 11:13 am

    I never heard of the white table before I would love to read more about it

    Reply
  21. Amber Gibson says

    November 15, 2009 at 10:57 am

    My grandpa is a veteran and I am so proud of all he has done to serve our country!

    Reply
  22. Bethie says

    November 14, 2009 at 9:11 pm

    Please enter me. Thanks to all our brave men and woman who keep us safe.

    Reply
  23. Patti Bright says

    November 13, 2009 at 8:31 pm

    My father & 4 of 3 of his brothers served during WWII. Each in a different branch of the service 🙂
    [email protected]

    Reply
  24. Wanda says

    November 13, 2009 at 1:36 pm

    I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.

    Reply
  25. Staci A says

    November 13, 2009 at 12:58 pm

    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.

    Reply
  26. Stacie says

    November 13, 2009 at 10:42 am

    Please count me in. My fiance is in the army.

    Reply
  27. WInning Readings says

    November 12, 2009 at 11:10 am

    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

    Reply
  28. Juli says

    November 11, 2009 at 4:09 pm

    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
    [email protected]

    Reply
  29. Heather says

    November 11, 2009 at 3:13 pm

    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.”

    Reply
  30. Shawntele says

    November 11, 2009 at 12:44 am

    Sounds like a very interesting book, thanks for the entry.

    Reply
  31. Jennifer Unsell says

    November 10, 2009 at 10:15 pm

    My own dad was a veteran. I have read amazing reviews on this book and would love a copy to share with my family.

    Reply
  32. Sandy M says

    November 10, 2009 at 10:08 am

    My Dad was a Korean war veteran and I have also never heard of The White Table. I would love to learn more.
    [email protected] gmail dot com

    Reply
  33. Stacy Taylor says

    November 10, 2009 at 9:44 am

    We love books. Would love to add this to our collection.

    Reply
  34. Jaye says

    November 10, 2009 at 12:01 am

    Wow, I had never heard of this. How fascinating. Can’t wait to read and learn more. God bless those who serve!

    Reply
  35. KSue says

    November 9, 2009 at 7:27 pm

    WOuld love to share this book with my family

    Reply
  36. Marj M. says

    November 9, 2009 at 5:25 pm

    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.

    Reply
  37. Just Mom says

    November 9, 2009 at 4:43 pm

    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!

    Reply
  38. Benita G . says

    November 9, 2009 at 3:09 pm

    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

    Reply
  39. mommysue says

    November 9, 2009 at 12:09 pm

    Hey I meant to tell you to check out http://www.angeltots.com they have a wonderful portal for parents to build safe and moderated online communities surrounding their children’s childcare activities. Its a great place to share photos, videos, events, and discussions. Check it out!

    Reply
  40. Hayley says

    November 9, 2009 at 10:56 am

    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!

    Reply
  41. Cathy says

    November 9, 2009 at 10:34 am

    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.

    Reply
  42. Jessica Harwood says

    November 9, 2009 at 10:28 am

    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.

    Reply
  43. Wendy says

    November 9, 2009 at 9:27 am

    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.

    Reply
  44. Heather J. says

    November 9, 2009 at 8:44 am

    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.

    Reply
  45. blueviolet says

    November 9, 2009 at 7:54 am

    I’m so intrigued with this!

    Reply
  46. Amagicmommy says

    November 9, 2009 at 6:32 am

    This sounds like a great book! My dad was a vetran, he never spoke much of it either.

    Reply
  47. JRG says

    November 9, 2009 at 6:25 am

    I’m a veteran.

    Reply
  48. Katy says

    November 9, 2009 at 2:42 am

    How interesting! I’ve never heard of the white table. I’d love to learn more!

    Reply
  49. Hailey says

    November 9, 2009 at 12:37 am

    I have never heard of the white table either. I would love to read this book to find out more!

    Reply
  50. Krista says

    November 9, 2009 at 12:31 am

    My dad is a veteran and I didn’t know about this… ‘course he never talks about it either.

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Bringing Moms Together

We are Janice and Susan, twin bloggers and work-at-home moms. We're here to inspire, encourage & empower you.

Meet Us…

Work With Us…

Subscribe via Email

to be first to read new posts

Trending Now

Oven Roasted Potatoes and Peppers Recipe

Oven Roasted Potatoes and Peppers Recipe

Raspberry Coulis – How To Make Raspberry Sauce

Raspberry Coulis – How To Make Raspberry Sauce

Best Fitted Face Mask Pattern PDF in 9 Sizes – 4 Adult and 5 Kids Sizes

Best Fitted Face Mask Pattern PDF in 9 Sizes – 4 Adult and 5 Kids Sizes

Instant Pot Apple Crisp that is Ready in Minutes!

Instant Pot Apple Crisp that is Ready in Minutes!

browse around

  • Posts by Susan
  • Posts by Janice
  • Favorite Recipes
  • Favorite Crafts
  • Giveaways
  • All Posts

Footer

Recipes

S’mores Blondies Recipe

S’mores Blondies Recipe

Get Kids Cooking Dinner with this No-Fail Creamy Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Get Kids Cooking Dinner with this No-Fail Creamy Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Oven Roasted Potatoes and Peppers Recipe

Oven Roasted Potatoes and Peppers Recipe

Crafts/DIY

DIY Felt Board with Creative Felt Piece Ideas

DIY Felt Board with Creative Felt Piece Ideas

20 Father’s Day Gifts Kids Can Make

20 Father’s Day Gifts Kids Can Make

20 Creative Mother’s Day Gifts Kids Can Make

20 Creative Mother’s Day Gifts Kids Can Make

Giveaways

Valentine’s Day Gifts For Her – Including The Best Valentine’s Day Gifts for Mom

Valentine’s Day Gifts For Her – Including The Best Valentine’s Day Gifts for Mom

REDEEMING LOVE Set to Strike Gold on the Big Screen #RedeemingLoveMovie

REDEEMING LOVE Set to Strike Gold on the Big Screen #RedeemingLoveMovie

Holiday Gift Guides and Christmas Giveaway

Holiday Gift Guides and Christmas Giveaway

Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Facebook Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Twitter Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Pinterest Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Instagram Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on YouTube Follow 5 Minutes For Mom via RSS
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work with Us
  • Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2022 5 Minutes for MomTheme by Melissa Rose Design and Once Coupled