Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1845079132 ISBN 13: 9781845079130

Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Bks, 2013

When Mum tells Milly that Dad has been sent to prison, Milly feels angry and confused. She can't believe her dad won't be at home to read her stories and make her laugh.But soon Mum takes Milly and her brother Sam to visit Dad in prison, and a week later a special package arrives at home - a cd of Milly's favourite animal stories, read especially for her by Dad. At Christmas the family go to a party at the prison, and in the spring there's an even better surprise for Milly and Sam?

About the Author:

Karin Littlewood's acclaimed picture books include The Color of Home, Home for Christmas, Home Now, Catherine's Story, and When Dad Was Away. Also the author of Immi and Sea Horse, she lives in London.

Liz Weir is a professional storyteller and writer from Northern Ireland. Formerly children's librarian for the city of Belfast, she now works extensively in schools and prisons, and travels the world telling stories to adults and children. She lives in Belfast, U.K.

From School Library Journal:

PreS-Gr 2-Milly is embarrassed and confused when her classmates taunt her by shouting the word "prison" at her. At home she gets her mother to tell her the truth; Daddy is not away working, he's in jail for theft. Mom does all the right things for her daughter and son, Sam, by assuring them that this was not their fault and that their father still loves them. As soon as she is able, she takes the children to visit their dad. The siblings draw pictures for him and, in return, he records a CD of himself telling stories to them. So while he is away, the parent-child connection remains solid. On Milly's birthday, her father returns home to great delight all around. The author of this book works in prisons and is well acquainted with the needs of the children of inmates. The reassurance of their parent's love and the need for stability in their lives are strong elements of this story. However, both the writing and the illustrations are workmanlike. Libraries with little on parental incarceration will find this book useful. Look to Jacqueline Woodson's Visiting Day (Scholastic, 2002) for a more inspiring choice on the same topic.-Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VAα(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journal. LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.