When his mum has to leave her job as a soldier, Max has to get used to a world outside their Forces community. How will he adapt?
Max’s Big Move is a storybook written by and for children and young people from Armed Forces families and illustrated by Catherine Lindow. This project was made possible by The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.
Max’s Big Move is a story created with children from Armed Forces families, designed to support families and the practitioners who work alongside them as they experience change — including the transition to civilian life.
Co-written with pupils from Leuchars Primary School, the story reflects real experiences of leaving the patch, adjusting to new environments, and navigating feelings of belonging and uncertainty. Through Max’s journey, young readers can see their feelings represented, begin to make sense of change, and feel reassured that they are not alone.
On this page, you’ll find the story brought to life through an animated read-aloud and a range of playful, supportive resources for use at home, in Early Years settings and in the classroom.
Join Judith, our Learning and Development Worker and a Forces mum herself, for an animated read-aloud of Max’s Big Move.
Want to keep the story going? These free resources are designed to help parents, carers and educators bring Max’s world to life through games, puppets, puzzles and more while supporting children’s learning, language and emotional development.
If you’re a professional looking for practical guidance and strategies for supporting children and young people from Armed Forces families, these top tips are a good place to start.
