For many military families, change is a familiar part of everyday life. New schools, unfamiliar neighborhoods, long deployments, and frequent goodbyes become part of childhood long before many children can fully understand them. Yet despite those shared experiences, books that reflect the lives of military children remain surprisingly rare. Maria Volodkevich hopes to change that.
Through her publishing company, Little Wingmen Press, LLC, the Air Force veteran and United States Air Force Academy graduate has launched Operation: Care Package, the debut picture book in the Zooming Zoey & Wingman Willie series. Released in April 2026, the book has already sold more than 300 copies, an impressive milestone for an independent picture book and an early sign that its message is reaching the families it was created for.
A Story Inspired by Military Life
Volodkevich understands military life from personal experience. Rather than focusing on the service member’s perspective, she chose to tell a story centered on the children who quietly navigate the challenges that come with military service.
“Military kids are little heroes who face deployments, new schools, constant moves, and change. They deserve to see themselves in books too,” says Volodkevich.
That belief became the foundation for Operation: Care Package, a story that encourages resilience while helping young readers recognize that their experiences are shared by others. Illustrator Garry Vaux brings the characters to life with artwork designed to make those moments both engaging and emotionally accessible for children.
Filling a Gap in Children’s Publishing
Military families represent a significant community across the United States, yet children’s literature has offered relatively little representation of their experiences. That gap became increasingly clear during the book’s launch.
Since its April release through Charlotte, North Carolina based Little Wingmen Press, Operation: Care Package has sold more than 300 books worldwide. The company has also sponsored 43 books for military families, helping expand access to children who may benefit most from seeing their own lives reflected in print.
Beyond online sales, the book has found its audience through military family events and community partnerships, creating opportunities for direct engagement with readers.
Recognition Beyond Publishing
Volodkevich’s work supporting military families is also attracting attention beyond the publishing world. She was recently selected from among thousands of applicants to appear on Operation: CEO, a television series produced by Inside Success TV that highlights veteran entrepreneurs making an impact in their industries.
The program is scheduled to air in the fall and will spotlight founders whose work extends beyond business performance into meaningful service for the communities they represent.
Learn More
To learn more about Maria Volodkevich, Little Wingmen Press, and the Zooming Zoey & Wingman Willie series, visit:
Website: www.zoeyandwillie.com
Instagram: @zoeyandwillie
Facebook: Zoey & Willie
