Andy the Admiral and the USS Shipshape
Written by Mark C. Fava
Illustrated by Agus Prajogo and Yohanes Bastia
Ages: 3+ | 32 Pages | Picture Book
Publisher: Mascot Kids (2026) | ISBN-13: 979-8-89138-803-1
Publisher's Book Summary: Climb aboard the Navy aircraft carrier USS Shipshape with Andy the Admiral and his crew! This ocean adventure is packed full of fun and valuable lessons. Readers will discover that the best Shipmates — and the best friends — show kindness, good manners, honesty, and teamwork. Welcome aboard, Shipmates!
Why Readers Love It: A standout choice for families with connections to the military, educators looking for character-education read-alouds, and any child drawn to ships, planes, and adventure on the open sea. Written by a retired U.S. Navy Captain and Naval Flight Officer, the story is inspired by real naval life and traditions — feel free to lean into that angle in your post or caption.
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
About the Author.jpeg)
Mark C. Fava is a career aviation lawyer and retired naval flight officer. He retired from the U.S. Navy as a captain, having commanded three units, including an aviation squadron, and spent years flying the Navy's P-3 Orion. He was the chief operations attorney at Delta Air Lines on 9/11 and has practiced law for more than thirty years; he is currently a vice president at the world's largest aerospace company. Mark is the creator of the Shipshape Shipmates children's book series and the author of Lessons from the Admiral: Naval Wisdom and Sea Stories for Leaders, an award-winning leadership book. He lives in his hometown of Charleston, South Carolina, with his wife and three daughters.
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Written by Mark C. Fava
Illustrated by Agus Prajogo and Yohanes Bastia
Ages: 3+ | 32 Pages | Picture Book
Publisher: Mascot Kids (2026) | ISBN-13: 979-8-89138-803-1
Publisher's Book Summary: Climb aboard the Navy aircraft carrier USS Shipshape with Andy the Admiral and his crew! This ocean adventure is packed full of fun and valuable lessons. Readers will discover that the best Shipmates — and the best friends — show kindness, good manners, honesty, and teamwork. Welcome aboard, Shipmates!
Why Readers Love It: A standout choice for families with connections to the military, educators looking for character-education read-alouds, and any child drawn to ships, planes, and adventure on the open sea. Written by a retired U.S. Navy Captain and Naval Flight Officer, the story is inspired by real naval life and traditions — feel free to lean into that angle in your post or caption.
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
About the Author
.jpeg)
Mark C. Fava is a career aviation lawyer and retired naval flight officer. He retired from the U.S. Navy as a captain, having commanded three units, including an aviation squadron, and spent years flying the Navy's P-3 Orion. He was the chief operations attorney at Delta Air Lines on 9/11 and has practiced law for more than thirty years; he is currently a vice president at the world's largest aerospace company. Mark is the creator of the Shipshape Shipmates children's book series and the author of Lessons from the Admiral: Naval Wisdom and Sea Stories for Leaders, an award-winning leadership book. He lives in his hometown of Charleston, South Carolina, with his wife and three daughters.
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Author Interview
Life Is What It's Called - What inspired you to write this book?
Mark C. Fava - I spent 30 years in the Navy, and many of the lessons I learned about teamwork, preparation, integrity, kindness, and service stayed with me. After writing my first leadership book for adults, Lessons from the Admiral, I wanted to share some of those same timeless values with children in a fun and memorable way. That idea became Andy the Admiral and the USS Shipshape.
Life Is What It's Called - What lessons do you hope readers will learn from this book?
Mark C. Fava - First, I hope children simply have fun reading it. But beneath the adventure are lessons about teamwork, preparation, respect, kindness, integrity, honesty, and helping others. My hope is that children enjoy the sea story and the illustrations while picking up a few important life lessons along the way.
Life Is What It's Called - How have your experiences helped you in writing this book?
Mark C. Fava - My 30 years in the Navy gave me a lifetime of experiences to draw upon. I was a Naval Flight Officer and Mission Commander in the P-3 Orion, accumulating more than 3,000 flight hours, and commanded three Navy units. Those experiences taught me firsthand about teamwork, preparation, integrity, leadership, and service—all themes that found their way into Andy the Admiral. I’m also the father of three daughters, which helped shape my goal of creating a story children would enjoy while sharing values that parents and teachers can reinforce.
Life Is What It's Called - What is your favorite line in the book and why?
Mark C. Fava - My favorite line is the closing sentence: “Well done, Shipmates!” It captures the spirit of the entire book—and the series. To me, “Well done, Shipmate” is simple but meaningful praise for a job done right. I love the idea of children learning that doing your best, helping your teammates, and treating others well are things worth celebrating.
Life Is What It's Called - How does this book stand out compared to other books on the market?
Mark C. Fava - Andy the Admiral is an original children’s picture book series that introduces young readers to the people, missions, and values of the U.S. Navy through a continuing cast of characters with different specialties. It combines a colorful children’s adventure with an authentic introduction to the Navy and timeless character lessons. It has ships, aircraft, sailors, hidden details, seagulls, a black cat, porpoises, and plenty of fun. Underneath the adventure is a values-based message. I think it gives parents, grandparents, teachers, and military families an entertaining story that can also start meaningful conversations with children.
Life Is What It's Called - What would you like readers to know about you?
Mark C. Fava - I’ve been fortunate to have several careers—as a Navy officer, lawyer, business executive, author, and speaker—but being the father of three daughters is the most important role I’ve had. I love aviation, the Navy, leadership, the law, and storytelling. With The Shipshape Shipmates series, I’m bringing those worlds together to create stories children will enjoy and, hopefully, remember. These are stories that I hope will create a meaningful legacy in the next generation of leaders.
Giveaway
One winner will receive a hardcover copy of Andy the Admiral and the USS Shipshape. Open to legal residents of the USA — see full giveaway rules and terms on the landing page.
Mark C. Fava - I spent 30 years in the Navy, and many of the lessons I learned about teamwork, preparation, integrity, kindness, and service stayed with me. After writing my first leadership book for adults, Lessons from the Admiral, I wanted to share some of those same timeless values with children in a fun and memorable way. That idea became Andy the Admiral and the USS Shipshape.
Life Is What It's Called - What lessons do you hope readers will learn from this book?
Mark C. Fava - First, I hope children simply have fun reading it. But beneath the adventure are lessons about teamwork, preparation, respect, kindness, integrity, honesty, and helping others. My hope is that children enjoy the sea story and the illustrations while picking up a few important life lessons along the way.
Life Is What It's Called - How have your experiences helped you in writing this book?
Mark C. Fava - My 30 years in the Navy gave me a lifetime of experiences to draw upon. I was a Naval Flight Officer and Mission Commander in the P-3 Orion, accumulating more than 3,000 flight hours, and commanded three Navy units. Those experiences taught me firsthand about teamwork, preparation, integrity, leadership, and service—all themes that found their way into Andy the Admiral. I’m also the father of three daughters, which helped shape my goal of creating a story children would enjoy while sharing values that parents and teachers can reinforce.
Life Is What It's Called - What is your favorite line in the book and why?
Mark C. Fava - My favorite line is the closing sentence: “Well done, Shipmates!” It captures the spirit of the entire book—and the series. To me, “Well done, Shipmate” is simple but meaningful praise for a job done right. I love the idea of children learning that doing your best, helping your teammates, and treating others well are things worth celebrating.
Life Is What It's Called - How does this book stand out compared to other books on the market?
Mark C. Fava - Andy the Admiral is an original children’s picture book series that introduces young readers to the people, missions, and values of the U.S. Navy through a continuing cast of characters with different specialties. It combines a colorful children’s adventure with an authentic introduction to the Navy and timeless character lessons. It has ships, aircraft, sailors, hidden details, seagulls, a black cat, porpoises, and plenty of fun. Underneath the adventure is a values-based message. I think it gives parents, grandparents, teachers, and military families an entertaining story that can also start meaningful conversations with children.
Life Is What It's Called - What would you like readers to know about you?
Mark C. Fava - I’ve been fortunate to have several careers—as a Navy officer, lawyer, business executive, author, and speaker—but being the father of three daughters is the most important role I’ve had. I love aviation, the Navy, leadership, the law, and storytelling. With The Shipshape Shipmates series, I’m bringing those worlds together to create stories children will enjoy and, hopefully, remember. These are stories that I hope will create a meaningful legacy in the next generation of leaders.
Giveaway
One winner will receive a hardcover copy of Andy the Admiral and the USS Shipshape. Open to legal residents of the USA — see full giveaway rules and terms on the landing page.
This post is sponsored by Mark C. Fava. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.
