Hamden Author Publishes Book for Military Children
The Dada Doll supports military families coping with parental deployment.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Child Care
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Hamden native Nina Rohrig has published a new children's book titled The Dada Doll, which is designed to comfort military children during parental deployments. The story draws from her own family experience while her husband, Major Steven Rohrig, served overseas.
Why it matters
The book aims to provide emotional support to children navigating the challenges of distance and sacrifice inherent in military service. It serves as a resource for families experiencing the absence of a parent.
The Dada Doll features a teddy bear crafted from an Army uniform. The story was inspired by the author's daughter Aila, who was 2 years old during her father's nine-month deployment, and features her younger sister, Kaia, who is currently 9 months old.
The players
Nina Rohrig
She is a Hamden native and the author of the children's book The Dada Doll.
Major Steven Rohrig
He is an Army officer who completed a nine-month deployment away from his family.
Elisabetta Boughton
She is the illustrator who provided the artwork for the book.
The details
Illustrated by Elisabetta Boughton, the book details themes of love and distance within military households. It centers on the author's personal experience as she observed her children interacting with a comforting teddy bear created from a military uniform.
Timeline
Prior to 2026: Major Steven Rohrig completed his nine-month deployment.
October 21, 2026: The article reporting on the book's publication was released.
Culture Shift
This story fits into a broader societal trend of providing targeted resources to assist military families in processing complex emotional challenges. It reflects a growing recognition of the unique sacrifices children of service members experience during long-term separations.
Parents and military families in the area may find this book as a practical tool to help young children express and manage emotions related to parental absence. It provides a tangible resource for families looking for age-appropriate ways to discuss service and sacrifice.
The takeaway
The Dada Doll offers a narrative approach to building resilience for children facing the realities of military life. By focusing on family connection through a symbolic teddy bear, it provides a gentle bridge for children experiencing separation from a parent.
Further reading
Learn more about local support services in Hamden Child Care.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WTNH.
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Do you believe children's books are a helpful resource for families during a parent's military deployment?
