The Dada Doll
For every child waiting for their hero to come home.
A heartfelt picture book about one little girl, her Dada Doll, and finding comfort while Dad is away.
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A Little Extra Support for the Time Apart
Free Deployment Countdown Booklet
15 activities created for military kids and families… from staying connected and talking about big feelings to counting down the final month and getting ready for homecoming.
The Dada Doll
The Dada Doll began with my daughter Aila’s love for a special gift my husband gave her before he left for deployment… her Dada Doll.
To anyone else, he’s a teddy bear made from a well-loved military uniform and patches. But to Aila, he’s so much more. He’s a reminder that even when Dad is far away, his love is never far from her heart.
This heartfelt picture book follows one little girl’s journey through deployment with the help of her special companion. It’s a story of love, resilience, and the quiet strength of military children.
I hope these pages bring comfort to military children and their families while helping others better understand the unique experiences of military life.
Welcome, I’m so glad you’re here.
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Inside the Pages
A glimpse inside the story…
“When you are feeling sad, or missing me with all of your might, hold on to this little soldier ever so tight.”
The Story Behind the Story
Meet the author
Hi, I’m Nina! I’m a mom, military spouse, and children’s author living in Fort Rucker, Alabama. I’m passionate about creating stories that help military children feel seen, understood, and a little less alone. I’ve long dreamed of creating something that advocates for military children and helps others better understand their unique experiences. From frequent moves to long separations and everything in between, military kids show incredible resilience… but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy.
Writing has always been a way for me to process life’s experiences, and The Dada Doll grew from one of those moments.
When my husband Steve deployed, I wanted to help our daughter, Aila, understand why Dad had to leave and find a way to bring her comfort while he was away. Like so many military parents, I searched for the right words. I leaned on other military spouses, read countless stories, and looked for ways to help ease her sadness.
The answer came in the most unexpected way. One afternoon, shortly after Steve left, Aila picked up a small Army teddy bear he had given her. She hugged it, kissed it, smiled, and happily said, “Dada.” My heart swelled, and that evening, The Dada Doll was born.
As I watched her find comfort through stories and imagination, I realized there were other children who needed a story like this, too. My hope is that The Dada Doll offers hope and encouragement to military families while also giving those outside the military community a glimpse into the challenges these children face and the remarkable strength they carry.
I hope The Dada Doll becomes a source of comfort for your family, too.
The Story Behind the Illustrations
Meet the Illustrator
Elisabetta Boughton is an artist, educator, and lifelong creative with nearly 15 years of experience teaching art to students with social-emotional and developmental disabilities. She is passionate about making creativity accessible to people of all abilities and inspiring others to discover the joy of artistic expression.
Working primarily in watercolor, Elisabetta brought The Dada Doll to life with gentle illustrations that capture the warmth, comfort, and imagination at the heart of the story. This is her first published children’s book.
When she’s not painting, Elisabetta enjoys crocheting, reading, and spending time with her husband, their growing family, their dog Frank, their cat Teriyaki, and friends near and far.
Stay Connected
Thank you for taking the time to visit my little corner of the internet. I hope The Dada Doll brings comfort, connection, and encouragement to families everywhere.
I’d love to stay connected! Follow along on Instagram for book updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and a peek into the creative process. If you have a question or just want to say hello, I’d love to hear from you. When The Dada Doll is released, you’ll also find purchase links here.
