Do I Have a Daddy?
Written by: Jeanne Warren Lindsay
Illustrated by: Jami Moffett
Published by Morning Glory Press in Buena Park, CA in 1991
ISBN: 1-885356-63-3
Genres: Picture Book, Informational Text, Realistic Fiction
Reading Level: Grade 1
Activity Level: Kindergarten
Summary: This is a book about a little boy whose friend tells him he does not have a daddy. He asks his mother if he does have one and she explains that he does have a daddy and that they were just too young when he was born to get married. The mother reiterates that the boy's father loved him very much and that it was not his fault that he had gone away. She also explains that if she gets married one day, that that man will be the little boy's father, but that right now it is important for him to play with his uncle and his grandfather .
Response: I think that perhaps having this book in the classroom could be somewhat controversial because there is a fine line between being a good teacher and overstepping one's boundaries. However, I think that it is very important for students to be exposed to lifestyles different from their own and to be exposed to a book that may discuss a situation similar to their own. I believe that it is the parents right and responsibility to teach their child about their family situation, but that exposure to this book is the right step in helping other children be excepting of their peers in school.
I love that in the back of the book there are notes for single parents about what is important to teach one's child about their family situations. It includes information for divorced parents, never-married parents, parents explaining the "totally absent father," the importance of being honest and stressing the positives, making sure the child is reassured, and knowing one's own feelings about the situation. It also gives information about how to know when is the right time to talk, why not to cover up the situation, what to do if the father returns, why male role models are important, and how to make the best use of this book.
The illustrations in this book are textured drawings with smeared colors. They are all single-page spreads and some are very detailed, even showing the lines on the grandfather's face. I love that the background of the illustration of the boy and his mother in the kitchen is the refrigerator with the child's drawings clipped to it! Little details sometimes make a big difference.
Teaching Connections: I think that this book could/should be read to a Kindergarten class. It should be the beginning of a lesson about different types of families. The teacher should research these common types of families such as: whole families, single-parent families, families of children being raised by grandparents, etc, and discuss some of these with the children and express that, although they are all different, they are all families and they are all great situations to be in because there is love in the family. The teacher should also emphasize acceptance of all types of families and remember to NEVER single a child out to talk about his or her family.
(Note: The teacher could also bring other books in this series into her classroom, either to read or just to have on a shelf in case a situation arises that she could use them.)
What Students Learn: From this book and the activity children will learn about different types of families and how to be accepting of each of them.
Image Retrieved From: http://www.morningglorypress.com/catalog/images/DoIHaveDaddy_4c.jpg
Written by: Jeanne Warren Lindsay
Illustrated by: Jami Moffett
Published by Morning Glory Press in Buena Park, CA in 1991
ISBN: 1-885356-63-3
Genres: Picture Book, Informational Text, Realistic Fiction
Reading Level: Grade 1
Activity Level: Kindergarten
Summary: This is a book about a little boy whose friend tells him he does not have a daddy. He asks his mother if he does have one and she explains that he does have a daddy and that they were just too young when he was born to get married. The mother reiterates that the boy's father loved him very much and that it was not his fault that he had gone away. She also explains that if she gets married one day, that that man will be the little boy's father, but that right now it is important for him to play with his uncle and his grandfather .
Response: I think that perhaps having this book in the classroom could be somewhat controversial because there is a fine line between being a good teacher and overstepping one's boundaries. However, I think that it is very important for students to be exposed to lifestyles different from their own and to be exposed to a book that may discuss a situation similar to their own. I believe that it is the parents right and responsibility to teach their child about their family situation, but that exposure to this book is the right step in helping other children be excepting of their peers in school.
I love that in the back of the book there are notes for single parents about what is important to teach one's child about their family situations. It includes information for divorced parents, never-married parents, parents explaining the "totally absent father," the importance of being honest and stressing the positives, making sure the child is reassured, and knowing one's own feelings about the situation. It also gives information about how to know when is the right time to talk, why not to cover up the situation, what to do if the father returns, why male role models are important, and how to make the best use of this book.
The illustrations in this book are textured drawings with smeared colors. They are all single-page spreads and some are very detailed, even showing the lines on the grandfather's face. I love that the background of the illustration of the boy and his mother in the kitchen is the refrigerator with the child's drawings clipped to it! Little details sometimes make a big difference.
Teaching Connections: I think that this book could/should be read to a Kindergarten class. It should be the beginning of a lesson about different types of families. The teacher should research these common types of families such as: whole families, single-parent families, families of children being raised by grandparents, etc, and discuss some of these with the children and express that, although they are all different, they are all families and they are all great situations to be in because there is love in the family. The teacher should also emphasize acceptance of all types of families and remember to NEVER single a child out to talk about his or her family.
(Note: The teacher could also bring other books in this series into her classroom, either to read or just to have on a shelf in case a situation arises that she could use them.)
What Students Learn: From this book and the activity children will learn about different types of families and how to be accepting of each of them.
Image Retrieved From: http://www.morningglorypress.com/catalog/images/DoIHaveDaddy_4c.jpg
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