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In new children’s book, a little girl’s Christmas wish is for her soldier dad to come home

Courtesy of Bill O. Smith

A children's book can be filled with wisdom and a message that resonates with readers of all ages.

That is certainly the case with Traverse City-based writer Bill O. Smith's new children's book Four a.m. December 25.

It is the story of a very special gift for a little girl.

That gift arrives in the early hours of Christmas morning when her soldier dad finally comes home.

Smith said the story is “a psalm to the beauty and joy of Christmas.”

“And the most beautiful thing about Christmas is family being together,” he said. “And that doesn’t always happen with our soldiers."

Smith’s inspiration for this story comes from his own father, the Air Force “weatherman.” 

In his dad’s honor, Smith is donating all profits from his book to various veterans’ organizations, including his local VFW post relief fund and three national groups.

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