Award-winning picture books added to United Through Reading Storystations and App
(St Paul, MN, July 28, 2026)—Elva Resa Publishing’s award-winning Operation AviationTM picture book series, originally released in hardcover in 2024, becomes available in paperback and ebook July 28, 2026.
Written by C-17 instructor pilot Teri Weber, illustrated by Brenda Harris, and contextually translated by Gabriella Aldeman, the military aircraft adventures are available in English and Spanish, rhyming in both languages. Titles include: Fly with Mytai and Vuela con Maytai; Toad the Tanker and El Tanquecito; Moose on a Mission and La misión de Alce.
In 2024, Vuela con Maytai won an International Latino Book Awards gold medal for best children’s picture book translation: English to Spanish, as well as honorable mentions for best cover design and best book about military service. In 2025, El Tanquecito won the ILBA gold for best children’s picture book translation: English to Spanish. The series won a bronze medal in the 2025 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards for best picture book series.
All formats are now available for purchase from MilitaryFamilyBooks.com/Operation-Aviation, Amazon.com, and other booksellers.
As part of a multiyear collaboration between Elva Resa and United Through Reading, the paperbacks have been added to UTR’s 200 Storystation libraries around the world. The ebooks are available in the free UTR App, where service members can record reading the books aloud and request a free paperback book for their military child to read along with the recording.
“As someone who grew up in an Army family and later served in the Air Force, I know firsthand just how difficult separations can be,” says Weber. “I’m thrilled that Elva Resa is partnering with United Through Reading to help families stay connected despite the challenges of military life. Reading together is such a special part of parenting, and I’m honored that my stories can help military families create those moments together, regardless of where their service takes them.”
About the Author
Teri Weber is a fourth-generation military officer who served as a senior pilot in the US Air Force. With a passion for developing the next generation of aviators, Teri frequently volunteers with children of all ages and serves as a guest speaker at Girls in STEM and Girls in Aviation events. She currently lives in Oceanside, CA, with her Marine husband and their two children.
About the Illustrator
Brenda Harris is a graphic designer, illustrator, and art teacher. A second-generation Latina, she is heavily influenced by nature and storytelling, working both digitally and with traditional media. Growing up in a military family and community, and later becoming an Air Force wife, she learned to be flexible, patient, observant, and to make friends wherever she goes. Brenda grew up in Colorado Springs, where she currently lives with her husband and two children.
About the Translator
Gabriella Aldeman is a Panamanian American author and translator and an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and the American Translators Association. Gaby is Elva Resa’s lead Spanish translator and editor. Eight of her translated books are available in UTR Storystations and the UTR App. She currently lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and two children.
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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. Elva Resa’s mission is to make a positive difference in people’s lives.
ElvaResa.com, MilitaryFamilyBooks.com
MEDIA: Please contact Elva Resa PR at 651-357-8770 or pr@elvaresa.com for more information or interviews.
Fly with Mytai 979-8-88752-039-1 (ENG PB), 979-8-88752-045-2 (ePub)
Vuela con Maytai 979-8-88752-040-7 (SPA PB), 979-8-88752-046-9 (ePub)
Toad the Tanker 979-8-88752-041-4 (ENG PB), 979-8-88752-047-6 (ePub)
El Tanquecito 979-8-88752-042-1 (SPA PB), 979-8-88752-048-3 (ePub)
Moose on a Mission 979-8-88752-043-8 (ENG PB), 979-8-88752-049-0 (ePub)
La misión de Alce 979-8-88752-044-5 (SPA PB), 979-8-88752-050-6 (ePub)
Author: Teri Weber
Artist: Brenda Harris
Translator: Gabriella Aldeman
Publisher: Elva Resa Publishing
Distributed by: Military Family Books
Paperbacks: 8.5″x8.5″, 32 pages, retail $15.95 each, case quantity: 80
Ebook: fixed-format ePub with accessible alt text, retail $9.99 each
Ages 4+
More about Elva Resa’s collaboration with United Through Reading:
https://elvaresa.com/united-through-reading-and-elva-resa-publishing-announce-multiyear-strategic-collaboration/
Additional related news items:
https://elvaresa.com/elva-resa-to-publish-teri-webers-operation-aviation-picture-book-series/
https://elvaresa.com/elva-resa-books-translated-by-gabriella-aldeman-awarded-ilba-medals/
https://www.stripes.com/living/2024-12-02/spanish-language-books-for-military-kids-15986177.html
Read this press release as a pdf.
Operation AviationTM logo designed by Brenda Harris for Elva Resa.