My Daddy’s Going Away

This book has been written in rhyme from a child’s perspective. The illustrations depict a family of aliens who are fairly human-like. The daughter explains that her Daddy’s going away for a while and the rest of the family (daughter, son and mother) will miss his hugs, smile and bath and story-times. They chat by computer and telephone, and send cards. Daddy sends ‘cool stuff’ that the children can show to their friends at school. In dark times the children can chat to their mum to feel better, and they know that their love for each other grows stronger each day they are apart. Daddy says a prayer for them every night which the girl thinks she hears like a ‘whisper in the air’. They mark the passing of time with paper-chains and calendars, and think of the exciting family outings they will have when Daddy gets home. At the end of the story, the family prepare for his homecoming with balloons and cake. He returns to hugs and kisses from his loving family.