Are We There Yet, Daddy? [Hardcover]

Virginia Walters (Author), S. D. Schindler (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1999 | Age Level: 3 and up

Are we there yet, daddy?
Daddy says, "No."
How much farther do we have to go?
Take a look at the map, son, then you will know
We have 50 more miles to go.

On a hundred mile car trip to Grandma's house, a father, son and Bitsy the dog travel from city to country, over hills and through tunnels, all the while counting down the miles left in their journey. This innovative book features a gatefold map on which young readers and listeners can follow the car's progress as it gets closer and closer to Grandma's house. Designed by a primary school teacher for use in her own classroom, this book offers an excellent introduction to map skills while it entertains children with its participatory format and refrain that every child knows..."Are we there yet?"

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-This unique picture book combines map and counting skills with a bouncy refrain that invites kids to join in. A little boy and his dad set out in their yellow Volkswagon Beetle to visit grandma. Like all children, the boy repeatedly asks, "Are we there yet, Daddy?" Dad says, "Just look at the map, Son. Then you will know." A large gatefold map precedes the title page, but a smaller version is reproduced on each two-page spread. Landmarks along the route help the child see that they have 90 miles to go, 80 miles to go, etc. The map is easy to follow. Children will enjoy finding locations in the illustrations (a tunnel, a bridge, an ice cream store) and matching them with places on the map. The flat, pastel pictures add enlivening details to the repetitive text. The youngster has flaming red hair that refuses to lie flat. Father and son start the trip cheerfully singing. As time passes, dad's expression becomes more severe, especially when his son drops ice cream on the car seat or announces, "this is getting boring." Although he finally announces, "I'm glad the trip is over-it seemed to take a year," listeners will look forward to many return visits.
Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Father, son, and Bitsy the dog take a 100-mile car trip to Grandma's house. They go through the city, race with train cars, survive a rainstorm, stop for snacks and eventually wind up at their destination. Every 10 miles, though, the son asks, "Are we there yet, Daddy?" and is told to consult the map. The map and the route are shown so children can follow along. The son's growing boredom, the father's increasing annoyance, and the changing countryside are all cleverly and subtly shown in the watercolor illustrations, and the story is told in a simple, repetitive rhyme, which captures the rhythm of a road trip. The book teaches basic math and map skills in an enjoyable way that will encourage both beginning readers and listeners. Marta Segal

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Viking Juvenile (September 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670874027
• ISBN-13: 978-0670874026
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,318,536 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent bed-time story ., November 16, 1999

By 

"kmdion" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Are We There Yet, Daddy? (Hardcover)

Our three year old son just loves this book. An entertaining yet educational book focusing on spacial relationships, a detailed narrative, and mathematical skills. The text is a rhyming, yet unusual narrative. The book includes a large map in the front and a smaller map with each section as the father and son travel to Grandma's house. Each section ends with "We have XX more miles to go" declining from 100 to 10 in steps of 10. Highly recommended.

5.0 out of 5 stars Are We There Yet, Daddy?, August 16, 2011

By 

Debra Schielack - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Are We There Yet, Daddy? (Picture Puffins) (Mass Market Paperback)

Excellant children's book. It was written by Virginia Walters when my son was in her kindergarten class at Condit Elementary School in Bellaire, Texas (Houston ISD). She was a wonderful teacher as well as a good story teller.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Super book from a Super Condit teacher, February 12, 2000

By 

David Engler - See all my reviews

This review is from: Are We There Yet, Daddy? (Hardcover)

Virginia Walters is a teacher at my daughters' elementary school, Condit, in Bellaire, Texas. She is a kind and loving teacher that all children fondly remember. Her first book is a winner with my kids. Every parent who has tired of hearing that dreaded phrase, "Are we there yet?" will benefit from it.