Maggie the Military Rat

05/21/2026

Do you know the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day? Many folks don’t, so here’s a gentle reminder:

🇺🇸 Memorial Day is a solemn day of remembrance to honor those who died in military service. Therefore it’s not appropriate to wish people a “Happy Memorial Day” or thank current service members for their service.

🇺🇸 Veterans Day, November 11, is a holiday to honor all military veterans, both living and deceased, for their service and sacrifices. Happy Veterans Day is appropriate on Veterans Day, as is thanking vets for their service.

Hope you have a meaningful Memorial Day.

Illustration by Elia Velasquez Murray

05/20/2026

It’s PCS (permanent change of station, a.k.a. military move) Season! How gorgeous are these sneak peek spreads my illustrator shared with me? “Maggie on the Move” is currently being illustrated and I can’t wait to share it with you!

Are you PCSing this summer?

04/20/2026

Monday reminder from me to you. 🤗

(I saw this on a fancy sign but didn’t want to spend the money and wrote it on a Post-It instead. It’s been sitting above my desk for over a year now!)

04/15/2026

In honor of Purple Up Day, a sneak peek of an illustration-in-process from my upcoming book, Maggie on the Move!! Can you guess where Maggie PCSed?

Art by Elia Velasquez Murray

04/14/2026

1500 (!) of you are here…so I thought it was time to properly say hello 💜

🙋🏻‍♀️ I’m Monica Voicu Denniston, author of Maggie the Military Rat—pictured here with my incredibly talented illustrator, Elia Velasquez Murray

🇺🇸 I’m married to a USAF pilot, and we’re raising 3 kids (12, 10, and 4) who’ve grown up navigating separation, moves, and all the uncertainty that comes with military life. That is exactly why I wrote my book.

🌉 After 20 years of service, my husband is retiring this year and we’re putting down roots in the SF Bay Area—exciting, emotional, and a little disorienting if I’m being honest.

📦 I’m currently working on Book 2… 👀 (hint: it tackles another big feeling military kids face)

Since it’s the Month of the Military Child, I’d really love to hear from you:

Are you a military family? Veteran? Or did you find this page another way?

Tell me where you’re from or what brought you here!

04/10/2026

💜 April is the Month of the Military Child

To the kids who say goodbye more than they should…who start over at new schools…who carry big feelings quietly…I see you.

This season can feel especially heavy for military families. You’re not alone. 💜

I wrote Maggie the Military Rat for moments exactly like this: to help kids feel seen, safe, and understood.

Art by Elia Velasquez Murray

01/14/2026

This deserves a spot in my feed!

Last night I was on my way to my monthly book club meeting when I walked past the holds section of my local library. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my book cover peeking out. My book!! On hold! To a person I don’t know! (Yes I might’ve peeked at the hold slip. 👀)

We don’t live in a military town so I was surprised that anyone would take an interest in my book, and so grateful to see it in circulation. It absolutely made my day.

To my fellow creators: you never know when someone might be looking for whatever you put out into the world. Don’t stop creating! The world needs your contributions.

11/14/2025

Check this out!

Learn more about this destination for kids, and some highlighted content only on The Ark Club.

10/19/2025

Snaps from SCBWI’s Oktoberfest conference today: (1) celebrating the incredible winning the People’s Choice Award for best illustrator portfolio (I had a feeling she’d win!); (2) fan-girling over meeting , who wrote one of my very favorite kids’ books, The Quiet Book and gave a great presentation about working with illustrators; and (3) one of the great panels from today. I always love connecting with my fellow Kidlit peeps! Here’s to refreshing our creativity.

10/06/2025

Mychal Threets as the host of Reading Rainbow?! 📚🌈 Dream come true! Congrats to a truly wonderful soul. 👏🏻🥰❤️ We are all cheering for you !