The Night Dad Went to Jail - (Life's Challenges) by Melissa Higgins

About the Book

When someone you love goes to jail, you might feel lost, scared, and even mad. What do you do? No matter who your loved one is, this story can help you through the tough times.

Book Synopsis

When someone you love goes to jail, you might feel lost, scared, and even mad. This colorfully illustrated book lets children know that they are not alone in this situation. It offers age appropriate explanations to help with difficult conversations. Told from the experience of a rabbit, this picture book is intended to make a parent's incarceration a little less frightening.

Review Quotes

...covers a topic rarely addressed in children's literature- in order to assist children whose parents have been arrested or imprisoned. . . .many childcare professionals and social workers have said that "The Night Dad Went to Jail" is proving a vital resource in helping the children of convicted criminals deal with complex emotions. . . .it helps children of felons to feel as if they are not alone, and that it should be available in every public library.-- "Parent 24"

'The Night Dad Went to Jail: What to Expect When Someone You Love Goes to Jail' follows a young rabbit as his father is arrested at their house in front of the neighbors and sentenced to six years in prison. It offers tips for dealing with the hardship of losing a parent for many years and an explanation of what to expect as a mother or father going through the legal process. . . .The book follows young Sketch as he experiences confusion and even anger at his father being hauled away to jail. It also provides comprehensive footnotes for children to better understand what their locked-up loved ones are going through.-- "The Daily Mail, UK"

Footnotes throughout the book offer definitions of technical terms and further explain why a child might feel the way they do in reaction to their loved one going to jail. It provides relatable emotions to a new situation to help children understand that what they're feeling is normal and that others may experience the same.-- "BlackandMarriedWithKids.com"

These titles walk youngsters through the various emotions they are likely to experience when confronted with a traumatic event. . . .caregivers and counselors will find these books useful when attempting to discuss these situations.-- "School Library Journal"

With its volumes on the expiration of a pet, the death of a relative, and divorce, it would be nice if the Life's Challenges series wasn't necessary. But where trauma exists, there will always be picture books up to the challenge of addressing them. This sober explainer tells the story of a little bunny (or possibly a dog) named Sketch, whose life is disrupted when his father is carted away from home one night by the police. Salient details are in place: the cop who gives Sketch a teddy bear, the social worker who answers questions, the children's support group that Sketch joins a few weeks later. Dad's crime goes unspecified, though the six-year sentence suggests something significant. Occasional boxes fill in important facts (what a law is, how it's OK to feel awkward in a jail); and key images--such as speaking to Dad through a fiberglass wall--are not avoided. Higgins' language is well pitched for adults to read to children, while Kirwan's art hits a nice balance between softness and realism.-- "Booklist"

About the Author

Melissa Higgins has written more than 25 nonfiction and fiction books for children and young adults, including The Night Dad Went to Jail: What to Expect When Someone You Love Goes to Jail. While her wide range of titles reflects her varied interests, she especially enjoys writing about issues related to children and mental health. Before becoming a full-time writer, Melissa worked as a school counselor. She lives on the northern California coast with her husband.