By Lia Russell
The Virginian-Pilot

During the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, then-lieutenant Ross Mackenzie was teaching English at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., and expecting his first child. As massive military deployments began, the Navy helicopter pilot remembers wondering: “How would I explain to my son why I’m gone when I have to deploy?”

As he pondered the question over several months and welcomed his son, Stuart, into the world, the answer came to him. “I thought that a book that I could read to my son, in language he could understand, would be a helpful tool, not just for me, but for other service members,” said Mackenzie, 38, a Larchmont resident.

In early 2002, Mackenzie started writing “My Sailor Dad,” a story told from a child’s perspective describing the various jobs sailors perform. The book, for ages 3 to 10, goes further, explaining why those jobs are important. “I wanted to convey a sense of patriotism in a way that children could understand,” said the 15-year Navy veteran. The book also expresses the consistent love of a father for his child regardless of the distance that may separate them from time to time.

The illustrator, Marvin Jarboe, has brought Mackenzie’s words to life through colorful, detailed and thoughtful images that deal with the subject of military service and family separation in a way that does not upset children.

Mackenzie, now a lieutenant commander stationed with Navy Reserve Forces Command in Norfolk, recently talked about “My Sailor Dad” at Larchmont Elementary School, where his sons Stuart, 8, and Cameron, 6, are among a significant population of students from military families.

Mackenzie read “My Sailor Dad” and discussed the creative and technical processes of writing. “How many of you would like to write a book?” he asked a group of about 100 third-graders. Nearly all

raised their hands – a testament to the success of two recently instituted literacy programs – “Making Meaning” and “Being a Writer” – at Larchmont Elementary that inspire creative writing. Let’s write one together right now, Mackenzie said.

He then started to tell the story of a dragon. “Should it be big or small?” he asked. “Huge!” came a collective response. “What color should the huge dragon be?” he asked. “Yellow!” said one little boy. “OK,” said an animated Mackenzie. “Once upon a time, there was a huge yellow dragon. He had big teeth and blew flames from his mouth and loved to gobble up little girls.” The boys giggled and cheered. But wait, said Mackenzie. That dragon may be too scary for some readers. Maybe he should be a small purple dragon who breathes little puffs of smoke and lives in a shoe box in my closet.

The children laughed.

By his example, Mackenzie explained revision, and how an idea changes over time during the writing process. Many children seemed surprised to learn that it took Mackenzie more than two years to write “My Sailor Dad” and several more to have it published. In “My Sailor Dad,” Mackenzie uses nautical signal flags to write messages in the page margins. He explained to the children how to “decode” the messages – a challenge they seemed eager to pursue. Mackenzie said “My Sailor Dad” has been well-received by readers, save for the occasional “sailor mom” who feels a bit slighted. “I had to start somewhere,” Mackenzie said, stressing the book does not imply that women are not a vital part of the military. “I started with what I knew.”

Mackenzie has plans to expand his “Patriot Kids” series.” His next book, “My Soldier Dad,” is due out by the end of the year. His brother-in-law, an Army major, served as a consultant. “My mom’s a Marine,” said one little girl in the Larchmont audience. “Do you plan to write “My Marine Mom?” Mackenzie smiled and nodded. “It’s certainly a possibility.”

Lia Russell, 222-5829, lia.russell@pilotonline.com