On the Day His Daddy Left

by Eric J. Adams, Kathleen Adams, Layne Johnson (Illustrator)

Like many children, Danny is afraid his parents' divorce is his fault. So on the day his daddy leaves, Danny writes a secret question on a slip of Is it my fault? He shows the question to his teacher, his friend, and his dad and mom.

Genres: Divorce, Picture Books, Family, Realistic Fiction, Childrens

24 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[SABRINA · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a divorced parent this book hits home. Although, it was published 21 years ago, it is still completely relevant and pulled at my heart strings. I wish I knew about this book a long time ago! Great for helping children cope with a new life change - divorce.

[Hannah Brewster · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has great visuals! It opens up the discussion of separation and divorce. I would recommend having a child read this book with an adult. The last page offers tips for adults when discussing this topic.

Traits: Ideas, Voice, Presentation

Reading Levels:
AR- 2.6
DRA - 20

[Erica Cowhick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a child dealing with a divorce. Danny believes that his parents divorce is all his fault. Danny asks several of his friends if they think its his fault and they all tell him no. The book shows how sad Danny is when the day his dad left. Both of Danny's parents assured him it wasn't his fault and that they would be happy.

Activities
1. This is a great book to read to a child whose parents are going through a divorce. Have the child write in a journal of different feelings they are experiencing.
2. Webbing-Have students put a character in the story in the middle of the web and have children make connections about that character. For example, how that person is feeling, what could they do different, etc.

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good picture book to help children understand divorce is never their fault, but their parents. Danny writes a secret question on a piece of paper and keeps it in his pocket on the day his daddy left home. His mother and father were getting a divorce and all Danny could think, and the secret question he was asking people throughout the day was, "is it my fault?" Everyone answers that it is not, but Danny still doesn't feel much better until his mom reads the question and puts the answer on the back. A big "NO". He looks at his secret question and the answer constantly until it falls apart and flies away. The last page of the book discusses how divorce affects a child and some tips on how to approach the subject.

[Alexandria Hiam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good picture book to help children understand divorce is never their fault, but their parents. Danny writes a secret question on a piece of paper and keeps it in his pocket on the day his daddy left home. His mother and father were getting a divorce and all Danny could think, and the secret question he was asking people throughout the day was, "is it my fault?" Everyone answers that it is not, but Danny still doesn't feel much better until his mom reads the question and puts the answer on the back. A big "NO". He looks at his secret question and the answer constantly until it falls apart and flies away. The last page of the book discusses how divorce affects a child and some tips on how to approach the subject.

[Tyra Denine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the fact that the illustrations made the story more real. Pictures depicted up-to-date images of truck, clothing, toys, etc. This will make to story more relatable to today's youth who may be going through a divorce or change of family style.

I like that the teacher was of a different race, so that another cultural/ethnic image was included in the story.
It started out a bit sad, which is expected. However, as the story progressed Danny became more sure that his parents divorce was not his fault. By the end of the book, even though his dad had moved away, Danny adjusted well and became at peace with his new living situation.

Great book!

[Chloe Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the Day His Daddy Left is a sad story about a boy who thinks that his parent's divorce and his father leaving is all his fault. Even though I think it is important for children to learn about all kinds of families, I just found this book to be really sad. I would probably feel more comfortable reading this book one on one to a child that I know is having difficulty dealing with their parents divorce so you can help that child emotionally.

[Janaki Murali · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very easy and novel idea of treating the topic of divorce from the child's point of view. I never thought such a deep topic could be done through a picture book, which is what Kathleen and Eric have done through pictures and few words, conveying a strong message that it's not the child's fault.

[Courtney Leive · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very powerful message to all children and even parents who go through divorce. This book explains everything so wonderfully about the many questions kids have, after a parent has left home. This one is very powerful because the child ask the question that all children want to know the answer too, to find out, read the book. Most likely you will not have a dry eye. Enjoy!

[Leona · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little boy wonders if his parents' divorce is his fault. He talks to friends and his teacher and parents so it shows a good scenario of caring people a child can turn to and they all tell him it's not his fault until he finally believes it.

[Lucero Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy is confused about the cause of his parents divorce and assumes that perhaps it was his fault. Throughout the story, he searches for an answer and upon finding it, he learns that the best remedy for a broken heart is time.

[Savannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did not know this book was about divorce when I first picked it up. Thought I could relate it to an upcoming deployment my family will face in a month but it's a good book for a child experiencing this.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad option for kids whose parents are separating. However, the illustrations make the book seem a lot older than it is (published in 2000, I believe) and so it may not be something a child would pick out for him/herself.

[Debbie Mcclure]

Excellent book that teaches children that they did not cause divorce.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is it my Fault - Note kid writes

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that teaches children that it's not their fault when parents fight and divorce.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the most cheerful story, but one that honestly addresses the feelings a child may have after a divorce. Well-written with realistic illustrations.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't say that I liked this book, but it definitely has a place in children's literature. And I would recommend it to any child/parent dealing with divorce.

[Salsabrarian]

Addresses the question many kids have when parents split up: Is it my fault?