Picture books, in English and Spanish, celebrate a special meaning of “home”
(St. Paul, MN, June 9, 2026)— Following a debut at Month of the Military Child celebrations on US military bases in all 50 states and around the world in April, Elva Resa Publishing’s newest picture books Home Moves With Me by Kathy Feedham Raggio, with art by Quinette Cook, and Mi hogar se muda conmigo, translated by Gabriella Aldeman, will release in retail outlets June 9, 2026.
In this lyrical story, a child moves to a new house with their family. Each step of the journey is a gentle reminder that home is more than a place.
Military spouse author Raggio supported her three children through eight military moves. “For me, home has always meant family, memories, and traditions we brought with us from place to place,” she says. “I hope kids will see themselves in this story and feel less alone at such an emotional time in their lives.”
“We hope this encouraging story will resonate with any child who experiences relocation,” says publisher Karen Pavlicin, “especially military kids who move again and again.”
Elva Resa, an award-winning traditional publisher specializing in books about military family life, is known for its collaborative team approach in the creative production of its picture books.
For this project, artist Cook created artwork elements using traditional watercolor, oil pastels, gel prints, and other mixed media. Pavlicin and art director Brenda Harris assembled the scanned artwork into spreads digitally, an approach that allowed reuse of certain elements.
“It was important for us to find creative ways to visually portray the themes,” says Pavlicin. “Combining each team member’s input and best skills brought a unique vision to the artwork. It’s hard to pick my favorite, but I think it’s the instant-style photographs that represent capturing memories and then keepsaking them or sharing them later in new surroundings.”
Many of the scenes invite the reader to experience the story from the main character’s point of view. In addition to the photo memories, other details in the art, such as hidden dragons and a playful dog, offer fun and meaningful substories to discover.
“We wanted to carry the concepts of transition, home, and family throughout, while also inserting fun little details for kids who notice another level to the story and art,” says Cook.
Following the retail release on June 9, both books will be available in paperback and ebook from wholesalers, retailers, and libraries, as well as direct from MilitaryFamilyBooks.com.
National nonprofit United Through Reading selected the story to be its 2026 Book for the Military Child. Featuring one story annually, the program aims to unite military parents, caregivers, and children around a shared reading experience. More than 14,000 military families will receive a free copy of the print book this year through UTR’s Book for the Military Child program.
UTR encourages families to stay connected through storytime even during times of separation, such as deployments. Beginning June 9, service members may use the free UTR App to record themselves reading an ebook version of Home Moves With Me or Mi hogar se muda conmigo, send the recording home to their family, and request a free print book to be sent home so their child can read the book along with the recording.
“Home Move With Me captures the emotions of relocation, the enjoyment of a positive read-aloud experience, and unique artwork details kids can explore over and over,” says United Through Reading CEO Carrie Valentine Fuller. “It’s the kind of meaningful picture book that brings multiple levels of connection for military families reading together.”
About the Author
Kathy Feedham Raggio grew up a military kid, became a DoDDS (DoDEA) school teacher, married an Air Force officer, and raised their three kids through eight military moves. Home Moves With Me is her first picture book.
About the Artist
Quinette Cook is an award-winning children’s and young adult author and traditional artist. She also illustrated Military Life: Stories and Poems for Children. Her father served in the Korean War and her sister served in the Navy.
About the Translator
Gabriella Aldeman is a Panamanian American author and Elva Resa’s lead Spanish translator and editor. For the past two years, Gaby has won first place for best translation of a picture book in the International Latino Book Awards for her translation of Elva Resa’s Operation AviationTM series by Teri Weber, illustrated by Brenda Harris.
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ELVA RESA PUBLISHING LLC is an award-winning, mission-driven, traditional independent publisher based in St. Paul, Minnesota, specializing in quality resources by, for, and about military families. ElvaResa.com, MilitaryFamilyBooks.com
MEDIA: Please contact Elva Resa PR at 651-357-8770 or pr@elvaresa.com to interview the contributors or receive review copies.
ISBN 979-8-88752-035-3 Home Moves With Me (English paperback)
ISBN 979-8-88752-036-0 Mi hogar se muda conmigo (Spanish paperback)
Author: Kathy Feedham Raggio
Translator: Gabriella Aldeman
Artist: Quinette Cook
Publisher: Elva Resa Publishing
Retail Publication Date: June 9, 2026
Format: 8.5″x8.5″ Paperback, 32 pages
Print Retail Price: $15.95 each
Case Quantity: 80
JUV091000 JUVENILE FICTION / Moving & Relocation
Available in English and Spanish. Ages 4+.
Primary distributor: Military Family Books (MilitaryFamilyBooks.com/Home)
Ebook distributor: Bookwire
More information:
About the books: https://ElvaResa.com/book/Home-Moves-With-Me
https://ElvaResa.com/book/Mi-hogar-se-muda-conmigo
https://elvaresa.com/elva-resa-to-publish-home-moves-with-me-mi-hogar-se-muda-conmigo/
Book for the Military Child: https://UTR.org/Book-for-the-Military-Child
United Through Reading App: https://UTR.org/App
Buy direct from Military Family Books (Direct sales support military family programs.)
Buy on Amazon
(Reviews) “ … uses the sweet simplicity of a child’s perspective to depict a military family’s PCS move … many relatable details … lends itself to repeated readings … ”
— Lisa Molinari, Stars and Stripes columnist