Fred Stays with Me!
Nancy Coffelt, Author
Tricia Tusa, Illustrator
Little, Brown and Company, Fiction, 2007
Suitable for Ages: 4- 8
Themes: Divorce, Girl and her dog, Parenting, Different Families
Opening: “Sometimes I live with my mom. Sometimes I live with my dad. My dog, Fred, stays with me.”
Synopsis: A little girl learns to deal with her parent’s divorce with her very mischievous dog, Fred. She still goes to the same school and has the same friends. But, she alternates living between her parent’s homes. At each home she has a different bedroom, meals and activities. Fred is a troublemaker — he barks constantly at the neighbor’s dog, steals socks and makes messes. Both her parents wonder what they’re going to do with Fred. But, Fred is the girl’s constant companion and stability. They are inseparable. “Fred is my friend. We walk together. We talk together. When I am happy, Fred is too. And when I’m sad, Fred is there.” The girl will have to come up with a solution or lose her best friend.
Why I like this book: Nancy Coffelt has written a very charming and sensitive story for children experiencing a divorce in their family. The text is simple and the language childlike. Yet through showing and narration, the word “divorce” is never used in the text. Divorce is confusing for children and they would resonate with this upbeat book. Fred is lively and a true friend and troublemaker. Tricia Tusa’s illustrations are warm and comforting watercolors done in soft brown hues and they compliment the story. There are also no pictures of parents in her illustrations.
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books.
Children's Books Heal 
Always an inspiration to visit your page and see the books you recommend. This is an act of love to share these stories.
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Thank you Niamh. I think of my blog in that way sometimes. I hope it is helpful to those searching for the right book. Fred Stays with Me! is one of those books.
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Pat, This sounds like a wonderful book. Having a pet during divorce can be a real stabilizing anchor for kids (even if the dog is the biggest mischief maker in town!). Great review!
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Yes, I believe pets are an anchor for kids during so many of life’s challenges.
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Yay … I love this one! One of the craziest things that I hear in my office from kids is “we’re getting a divorce” because it affect everyone. That’s for keeping your heart on the pulse of books that help kids heal!
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Well, I haven’t heard that comment from kids. It does impact everyone, but it is the parents getting the divorce. Thanks for sharing that comment.
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I must have been tired … I meant it affects everyone and THANKS … yes, I have to work really hard sometimes to convince kiddos that it isn’t their divorce even though it feels like it. Recently I was told by a firstie that she wasn’t EVER getting married because she didn’t want another divorce. So sad.
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Barbara, that is sad that a first grader said she wasn’t ever getting married. Divorce is so hard on everyone.
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This sounds like a keeper. As I’ve previously mentioned, my focus is on adoption. When divorce occurs within an adoptive family, there’s an extra layer of pain and loss. Thanks for this suggestion!
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It is a keeper. I can only imagine that it increases the feelings of abandonnment for children. Glad you liked the book.
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I was intrigued by the idea of not illustrating the parents. Must take a peek at this one!
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I think it is very effective not illustrating the parents in this particular story. It works well.
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I had forgotten this book. It’s focus on family reminds me of DAD AND POP that also didn’t mention the divorce that clearly happened. (and I love the solution for Fred!) Great choice.
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Thank you. I love the solution for Fred too. It is very upbeat book for kids.
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Of course Fred saves the day for the little girl. We doggies are good that way! Stability and friendship and love and consistency are our specialty!
Love and licks,
Cupcake
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Yes Cupcake, you must know from experience. Stability and friendship is what a child going through a divorce or dealing with a loss need.
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Animals can be such a comfort in life. I love the sound of this book! Thanks for sharing this one.
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Yes, they are a comfort for young and old alike. Glad you liked the selection.
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I love it when authors deal with difficult circumstances in a picture book, and this one sounds like it hit right on target. I’ll have to get this one for my grandson, the child of my step daughter. He does not remember his father but knows his present one is not his biological one. AND Grandson is getting a dog. 🙂
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Sounds like the timing is perfect. Having a pet as a best friend is very comforting as kids grow up.
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Yes, I remember my sons tears after Lucky got killed by a neighbor dog. I cried too. We were sad. 🙂
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Yes, the loss of a pet is sad. But, so is the breakdown of a family through divorce. The dog is the child’s only stability.
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Yes, You are so right. We were crying as much for the loss of Ben’s father who had died just months earlier as for the cat. I think it was easier for Ben to cry over the cat as for his father. Now at the time of Lucky’s death, Ben, who was ten, knew that he would never see his father again and also he would never see Lucky again.
At the time his father died, I am not sure he really knew what it meant.
Sorry for going on and on here about it. 🙂
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That is a double whammy for a child — to lose a Dad and a cat that close together. No, thank you for sharing.
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Oh, the dog makes this book for me. 🙂
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Yes, you’d like this spirited dog!
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I love the conflict set up here, Pat, and I totally want to find out the resolution!
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Check it out at the library. I believe Beth saw the book and recommended it to me.
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This one sounds wonderful. I just ordered it from my library and can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the review.
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Glad you liked the book and ordered it from the library.
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This sounds like a heart-warming story. 🙂
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Yes, it is a heartwarming story for kids. As you know, pets are very therapeutic.
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My library has it, so it’s on hold. I think I’m gonna love Fred!
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Yes, you will love Fred. Great book for kids dealing with life issues.
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I’ve never heard of this book, but I do love Tricia’s work. It seems perfectly paired with the story. I’ll have to look for it. Thanks.
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This is my introduction to Tricia’s work. I think you’d enjoy the story and illustrations.
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Intrigued to see how the artist managed to keep the parents out of the book. Also sounds like a great example of show don’t tell. Thanks, as always, for your book suggestions.
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It is a great way to show and not tell. It is well done.
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Thanks, Patricia – and I’ve got it on hold now!
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We need constant companions on our life journey – what a great story to share.
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And, for so many kids a pet is a best friend. The dog is quite a character in this story.
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This sounds lovely. I wish I’d known about it sooner.
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It is a heartwarming story for a child dealing with separation and loss.
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This book is perfect for children dealing with divorce, or the threat of loosing their pet. My son’s biggest concern when I went through a divorce was if he could keep his dog.This book touched my heart.
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Glad you liked the book. I hope the dog brought him comfort.
By the way, I finally ordered your first book. There are a lot of books I need to read, so it is nice that I’ll look forward to reading a book for fun.
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Every young one needs a dog to hold onto. Especially in a time of upheaval. This sounds like a truly excellent book! I’ll have to check it out. Thanks!!
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Thought that you would like this book Rhythm! Excellent book for your school bag.
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Indeed Ms Tilton! I’ve put it on my want list!
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That is great! Good classroom book.
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Looks terrific!
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It is a terrific book for children dealing with separation, divorce, loss or change in their lives.
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Oh I wish I had been given this book, or a dog like Fred when I was young. When my parents divorced. Beautiful review, thanks Pat.
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Yes, a pet would certainly be a best friend. It’s funny how those memories linger.
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