Daddy's Chair

by Sandy Lanton, Shelly O. Haas (Illustrator)

Michael's dad has died, and the family is observing shiva, the Jewish week of mourning. As the days go by, and friends and family visit, Michael gradually comes to terms with his father's death. The sepia wash drawings of Daddy's empty chair serve as a poignant symbol of loss.

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1991

Reviews

[Linda]

A tender book on loss, from the Jewish perspective. A young boy's father dies, and throughout the week of "sitting shiva" the boy begins to accept his loss and realizes that while nobody can ever replace his father, others can fill in that huge hole in his life (and heart) just a bit.

[Carole P. Roman]

Author Sandy Lanton has taken a sensitive subject and written a touching book about dealing with loss. Brothers Joshua and Michael are with their mother who is sitting Shiva, the seven day mourning custom in the Jewish religion. At first, Michael is having issues with anyone using his father's chair. He makes a sign letting everyone know not to sit in his father's place. His mother gently reminds him that he'd been very ill, and has passed away from cancer. Michael is having issues about things his father did for him, and in turn different family members talk lovingly about his father and honor him with sweet remembrances. Michael deals with individual issues, finally realizing that when he misses his father's hugs, he will sit in his chair and embrace his teddy for comfort.

The illustrations are beautiful, Lanton describes the mourning traditions with clear language. This is a difficult topic, yet the author handles it deftly, with a gentle touch. It did bring a tear to my eye when Michael finally accepts his father's passing, but it is a good guide for anyone in need of helping a child deal with a great loss. While it is a sad subject, the family's remembrances remain a celebration of the father's life as well a story about a child finally coping with losing someone important in their life.

[Jude]

In Daddy’s Chair, Sandy Lanton explores grief through stillness rather than explanation. The story allows young readers to observe how loss settles into daily life, especially through Michael’s relationship with his father’s chair. Lanton’s approach feels patient and respectful, offering understanding without pushing resolution.

[Edna Gooles]

Sandy Lanton’s Daddy’s Chair captures the emotional confusion that often follows the loss of a parent. Michael’s resistance to letting others sit in the chair reflects a very real need for control during grief. The book validates those feelings while gently showing how connection can soften pain over time.

[Benard]

What impressed me about Daddy’s Chair by Sandy Lanton is its emotional honesty. The book does not avoid sadness, nor does it exaggerate it. Instead, it presents grief as something quiet and deeply personal, especially for children who may not yet know how to express what they feel.

[Louis]

In Daddy’s Chair, Sandy Lanton demonstrates how powerful simple storytelling can be. The familiar setting, limited dialogue, and focus on one symbolic object make the emotions more accessible. It’s a story that trusts the reader to feel rather than be told what to feel.

[Abraham]

Sandy Lanton writes Daddy’s Chair with a deep understanding of how children process loss. The story shows that grief often lives in small details, an empty chair, a remembered routine, and that healing can begin through shared presence rather than explanations.

[Gladdy]

Daddy’s Chair by Sandy Lanton is notable for its calm tone. There is no dramatic turning point or sudden acceptance. Instead, the story unfolds gradually, mirroring the real pace of emotional adjustment. This makes it especially comforting for young readers.

[Monisa]

In Daddy’s Chair, Sandy Lanton focuses on memory as a source of connection rather than pain alone. The chair becomes a place where love, sadness, and comfort exist together. This layered portrayal of grief feels honest and emotionally mature.

[Horen]

Sandy Lanton’s Daddy’s Chair avoids the common mistake of over-explaining loss to children. The adults in the story offer support through action and presence, allowing Michael to move toward understanding in his own time. This restraint gives the book its emotional strength.

[May Tyler]

What stands out in Daddy’s Chair by Sandy Lanton is how gently it acknowledges the permanence of loss without overwhelming the reader. The story doesn’t promise that everything will be “okay,” but it does show that love and connection remain possible.

[Miaje]

Daddy’s Chair, written by Sandy Lanton, presents grief as a shared family experience rather than an isolated one. Through quiet interactions, the book shows how remembrance can bring people together, even during moments of sadness.

[Flaubert]

In Daddy’s Chair, Sandy Lanton captures the tension between holding on and letting others in. Michael’s emotional journey feels realistic, and the story respects that healing does not require forgetting. It’s a thoughtful and compassionate portrayal of loss.

[Alison]

Sandy Lanton approaches a difficult subject with clarity and care in Daddy’s Chair. The book allows children to see that grief can be expressed in many ways and that there is no single “right” response to loss.

[George]

Daddy’s Chair by Sandy Lanton succeeds because it stays grounded in everyday moments. Rather than relying on dramatic scenes, the book builds emotional depth through familiarity, making the story accessible and believable.

[Fortune]

In Daddy’s Chair, Sandy Lanton shows how objects can carry emotional meaning, especially for children. The chair represents memory, safety, and love, making it an effective symbol for young readers trying to understand absence.

[Moses]

Sandy Lanton’s Daddy’s Chair offers reassurance without false comfort. The story acknowledges that grief does not disappear, but it also shows that support and connection can ease the weight over time. This balance makes the book especially meaningful.

[Shoshanna]

The books are getting older to the point where it is harder to recommend for today's children. The story is good, of a child learning what a Shiva is, but it feels a lil too didactic and the images would not hold a kid's attention anymore.