“This book is a crucial tool for parents, educators, and anyone who cares about the well-being of children who, through no fault of their own, are forced to bear the consequences of our country’s obsession with incarceration. For children who desperately miss their parents, feel confused, or are teased at school, this book can go a long way in letting them know that they are not alone and in normalizing their experiences.” —Eve L. Ewing
A little girl who misses her father because he's away in prison shares how his absence affects different parts of her life. Her greatest excitement is the days when she gets to visit her beloved father. With gorgeous illustrations throughout, this book illuminates the heartaches of dealing with missing a parent.
Missing Daddy was selected as one of Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best Books 2019.
Mariame Kaba is an educator and organizer based in New York City. She has been active in anti-criminalization and anti-violence movements for the past thirty years.
bria royal is a multidisciplinary artist from Chicago.
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"In this sensitive and candid story, a child narrator explores the emotions she feels surrounding her father’s incarceration. Royal’s art has a spare, warm quality, with loose ink outlines and splashes of light pastel and citrus tones in the characters’ clothing and surroundings. Educator Kaba addresses the experiences related to parental incarceration head-on while emphasizing that there are a lot of different ways to be a family."—PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
"Charming and heart-wrenching details in the flights of fireflies, bordered pictures in a photo album, and even the expression of the little girl when a classmate whispers, 'You know your daddy’s a criminal so that makes you one,' highlight the angst and resilience of the little girl. This straightforward consideration of children affected by the imprisonment of family members is necessary." —KIRKUS REVIEWS
“Missing Daddy is a crucial book for our times. Using storytelling and gorgeous artwork, this book brings heart, soul, and deep compassion to the challenges facing kids with incarcerated parents. A much needed piece of children’s literature.” — Daniel José Older, author, Shadowshaper Cypher and Dactyl Hill Squad
“This book is a crucial tool for parents, educators, and anyone who cares about the well-being of children who, through no fault of their own, are forced to bear the consequences of our country’s obsession with incarceration. For children who desperately miss their parents, feel confused, or are teased at school, this book can go a long way in letting them know that they are not alone and in normalizing their experiences.” —Eve L. Ewing
Related blog posts View all related posts
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Ruth Wilson Gilmore on Covid-19, Decarceration, and Abolition
Watch the full video of our event with Ruth Wilson Gilmore on Covid-19, Decarceration, and Abolition, hosted by Naomi Murakawa. Gilmore’s new Haymarket book Change Everything: Racial Capitalism and the Case for Abolition, will be released in February, 2021.
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Missing Daddy: Buy a copy and we’ll donate a copy
Buy a copy of Mariame Kaba’s new book Missing Daddy between now and October 4th, and we’ll donate a copy to an organization that works with children with incarcerated family members.
Other books by Mariame Kaba
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Prisons Must Fall
by Jane Ball and Mariame Kaba -
A Riot at the United Nations
by Mariame Kaba -
Lo que haremos hasta que nos liberemos
by Mariame Kaba -
Lifting As They Climbed
by Mariame Kaba and Essence McDowell -
Sojourners for Justice Press Manifesto
by Neta Bomani and Mariame Kaba
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Let This Radicalize You
by Kelly Hayes and Mariame Kaba -
Let This Radicalize You Workbook
by Kelly Hayes and Mariame Kaba -
Our Girl Tuesday
by Tara Betts, Tempest Hazel, et al. -
See You Soon
by Mariame Kaba -
We Do This 'Til We Free Us
by Mariame Kaba
Other books of interest
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I Am Troy Davis
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Electric Arches
by Eve L. Ewing -
Cinderella Liberator
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Things That Make White People Uncomfortable (Adapted for Young Adults)
by Michael Bennett and Dave Zirin -
The ABCs of Hip-Hop
by Rebel Diaz