If I Had a Daddy

 Author's Summary

This is a book inspired by my daughter Autumn, whom I love deeply. I listened carefully to her musings and thought other children could benefit from her thoughts on her absence of a father and what it means to her. As for all single parents, no matter how they got to that point, one thing remains clear: Children often think quietly about a missing parent. This book heals this young lady. She has, despite not having a daddy, thoughts on how a daddy would act and be loving. At a tender age, she knows what attributes to look for in a man. This book, read along with a parent or guardian, can and will teach and help a young person describe their daddy and open up dialogue with certainty and truth.

MWSA Review

MWSA 2009 2nd Runner Up for Children, Under 12

Mary M. Sullivan has written a charming and thought-provoking children's book which was inspired by her daughter.  She felt that what she learned from Autumn, could help other children that are in a single-parent situation, no matter how they got to that point.
Mary shares the thoughts of a little girl trying to figure out what her daddy would look and act like.  Mary Sullivan states, "This book, read along with a parent or guardian, can and will teach and help a young person describe their daddy and open up dialogue with certainty and truth."
 
As a teacher of young children, I believe that this book could be beneficial to many children who have a "missing someone" in their life.  It might not just be a parent, but could be another relative, such as a grandparent, aunt, or uncle.  The basic premise is that children really need to "put a face" to the unknown person, and guardians should be aware that this book could be used to help have the conversation revolving a child's thoughts.  It may also be beneficial to other children to help explain what some of their friends may be experiencing by not having a two-parent family situation.
 
The book is in a large format and the artwork adds a lot to the storyline.  In the back of the book is a page for children to draw a picture of their daddy.  It is a "simple" book with a very thought-provoking message.  Written with a child in mind, the adult in the child's life should be involved in the reading of this book.  It is a valuable resource for the single-parent moms out there in our world.

Reviewed by: Joyce Gilmour (2009)