Always My Dad: (Reading Rainbow Book) (Apple Soup Book) [Hardcover]

Sharon Dennis Wyeth (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 27, 1994 | Series: Apple Soup Book

  

Illustrated in full color. Though Dad moves around a lot and his jobs keep changing, a young girl and her brother hold fast to memories of his magical, unexpected visits in this portrait of an African-American family held together by a special bond of love.  "This poignant, lyrical story captures the games children play; the anticipation and pleasure of seeing a mostly absent, yet loving parent; and the reality of having no control over what adults do, of never knowing what might happen next, and of parting.  Regardless of circumstances, somehow it's always clear to this patient, wise-for-her-years girl that her father loves her.  The etched watercolor, charcoal, colored-pencil, and lithograph-pencil art has a dreamy, statuesque quality." --School Library Journal

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3?"Sometimes the person I want to see more than anyone in the world is my dad. But I only see my dad once in a while." One summer day, the narrator's mother drops her and her younger brothers off at their paternal grandparents' farm. After they've been there for a spell, daddy comes stepping out of the dark rather mysteriously, lighting his way with a flashlight. The children enjoy his company and share some special times. But then, one afternoon, he tells them he'll be moving on again. This poignant, lyrical story captures the games children play; the anticipation and pleasure of seeing a mostly absent, yet loving parent; and the sad reality of having no control over what adults do, of never knowing what might happen next, and of parting. Regardless of circumstances, somehow it's always clear to this patient, wise-for-her-years girl that her father loves her. The etched watercolor, charcoal, colored-pencil, and lithograph-pencil art has a dreamy, statuesque quality that reflects the feeling of precious and subsequent "...leftover summer days."?Vanessa Elder, School Library Journal
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Ages 5-7. "Sometimes the person I want to see more than anyone in the world is my dad. But I only see my dad once in a while." So begins this poignant story, based on Wyeth's memories of her African American childhood with an often absent father. The story recalls a summer Wyeth and her brother visited their grandparents in the country. One evening while sitting on the porch, they see a flickering light in the darkness. It is their dad come to visit. In joyful prose, Wyeth paints a vivid portrait of a treasured time with Dad--running barefoot, catching lightning bugs, drinking soda at the general store. Even very young children will feel the honesty of the story: the father is not portrayed as a hero, but neither is he shown as a villain. Colon's dramatic illustrations, rendered in warm earth tones, burst with expression and movement that add to the story's magical atmosphere. Lauren Peterson --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (December 27, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679934472
• ISBN-13: 978-0679934479
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,009,569 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This book is lovely, but it hurts., November 2, 2000

By 

Sarah Olson - See all my reviews

This review is from: Always My Dad: (Reading Rainbow Book) (Paperback)

Always My Dad tells the story of a girl who dreams of seeing her father. She knows that work takes him away, but wherever he is, doing whatever he is doing, she knows he is always her dad. When a summer at her grandparents' farm brings her absent father home, every moment is filled with happiness and fun until he announces that he must leave again. Before he goes, he reminds her that he loves her and always will. Wyeth's words and Colón's incomparable pastel illustrations tell this beautiful story with tact, grace, and tenderness. This work excellently expresses the ache and love of children who live without one of their parents.

5.0 out of 5 stars Missing your dad?, March 9, 2009

By 

Steven "BookDads.com" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Always My Dad (Paperback)

Always My Dad
This story is told by a girl who misses her father very much, but only gets to see him once in a while. Her father moves around a lot and takes lots of different jobs, since he's been having a problem getting his life together. During a trip to her grandparents, her father arrives for a visit. While his visit is a happy one, before long he has to say goodbye again. Yet he reassures her that he is always her father and always loves her, even when he is away. A good book for any child who misses their father, particularly if they are having dreams about him.