Goodnight, Daddy Book

This is a realistic portrayal of a little girl's love for her absent father and her disappointment at being "stood up" by him. Phoebe can hardly contain her excitement as she anticipates the visit that she's been wanting for over two years. When once again her father cancels his visit because "something came up," Phoebe struggles with her disappointment. Her mother helps her realize that she can cope with being disappointed by someone she loves and move ahead with her life.

Children's Literature

This picture book deals poignantly and intelligently with the disappointment of a child who is stood up by an absent parent. Eight-year-old Phoebe eagerly anticipates her father's visit after a two-year hiatus. The night before his promised arrival, she is sleepless with excitement. The next morning she gets up very early so as to look just right for his early visit. She races toward the door when she hears a car, which is only someone turning around in the driveway. Brushing away her tears, Phoebe eats breakfast and dismisses her mother's suggestion that she go to a friend's party. After watching TV for hours, Phoebe gets the dreaded phone call. Her father can't come today but promises to come tomorrow. Something has come up. Mother and daughter have learned to cope with such disappointment. Phoebe goes to her party, knowing that she'll be okay the next day, whether or not her beloved father arrives. The illustrations in watercolor, pastels and pencil beautifully reveal Phoebe's many moods on this important day. There is a special section in the back of the book written for single parents as a guide to dealing with their children's relationships with absent parents. 2001, Morning Glory Press, $14.95 and $7.95. Ages 7 up. Reviewer: Carol Raker Collins