From Publishers Weekly
Katie's parents divorce, and jointly decide that she should live with her mother, because her father travels so much. The narration concerns the adjustment of each member of the family to the father's living elsewhere. The author explores many truths: that the divorce seems "like somebody was throwing someone else away," that being with her father on Saturdays is sometimes even boring, just like the old days, and that even after adjustment Katie still feels hurt "and probably always will." The parents act as a team, telling their child that, no matter what happens in other families, this Daddy will always show up when he says he will. Sensitive watercolors enhance the various moods of the book, which isif not originalreassuring. Ages 5-8. Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From School Library Journal
Grade 1-3 Young children will find reassurance in this realistic but warm story of a divorce told from a young girl's point of view. The story begins on the day that Katie's father moves out and ends months later, after Katie, her mother, and father all have had a chance to adjust to the change in their lives. The sadness, guilt, and confusion typically felt by a child of divorce is honestly portrayed, but so is the unconditional love that both parents continue to feel for Katie. The soft, warm style of Friedman's realistic watercolors in muted colors supports the tone of the story. The best of the many other books on this topic are Caines' Daddy (Harper, 1977), Dragonwagon's Always (Macmillan, 1984), Lexau's Emily and the Klunky Baby and the Next-Door Dog (Dial, 1972), Helmering's I Have Two Families (Abingdon, 1981), and Schuchman's Two Places to Sleep (Carolrhoda, 1979). Girard's book will make an additional choice for children coping with their parents' divorce. Barbara S. McGinn, Oak Hill Elementary School, Severna Park, Md.Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Card catalog description
Although her parents' divorce causes her to feel anger, concern, and sadness, Katie discovers that she can keep a loving relationship with her father even though he lives apart from her.

ANNOTATION

Although her parents' divorce causes her to feel anger, concern, and sadness, Katie discovers that she can keep a loving relationship with her father even though he lives apart from her.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Katie's daddy moves out of the house when he and her mommy get divorced. Katie is angry, sad, and most of all, afraid her daddy will never come back. But on Saturdays he's there. And Katie comes to understand that even though her parents can't live togerther anymore, they both still love her and will always be her mommy and her daddy.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Katie's parents divorce, and jointly decide that she should live with her mother, because her father travels so much. The narration concerns the adjustment of each member of the family to the father's living elsewhere. The author explores many truths: that the divorce seems ``like somebody was throwing someone else away,'' that being with her father on Saturdays is sometimes even boring, just like the old days, and that even after adjustment Katie still feels hurt ``and probably always will.'' The parents act as a team, telling their child that, no matter what happens in other families, this Daddy will always show up when he says he will. Sensitive watercolors enhance the various moods of the book, which isif not originalreassuring. Ages 5-8. (August)

Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot

It is hard for kids to understand why parents separate and get divorced. It is also difficult because there are so many changes, and the kids also may be concerned that they somehow are responsible for the breakup. Girard shows kids that good can come out of an unhappy situation. Katie's parents have divorced, but they both care about her. They work very hard to provide homes that she is a part of and reassurance that, no matter what, they will love her. The emphasis here is on Dad leaving, getting a new place, but making a major effort to keep Katie as an integral part of his life.

School Library Journal