Fred Stays with Me!

There are several reasons why I enjoyed this book. One reason being, the descriptive language the author uses through her narrations. I am able to visualize what kind of trouble Fred is getting into, before I even look at the illustration. I feel this to be so important within children’s literature, so that the children can start relying on the text for visualizations, as opposed to only the illustrations. In addition, I am able to picture Fred by the narrator’s side throughout the story, when she indicates his presence in each sentence. For example, “Fred goes to the park with me…Fred reads with me…Fred plays with me…” Another reason why I enjoyed this story was because of the illustrations. Though the language throughout show more was incredibly descriptive, the illustrations made Fred’s messes, and attachment to the narrator visual. For example, the illustration to the sentence, “My dog Fred, stays with me.” shows the narrator resting on Fred’s body, while she is reading a story. The dog truly does not leave her side. This story addresses the big idea that all children, especially those that come from split families, need something or someone to have and cherish. Parents or siblings are not always there to comfort young ones, so it is imperative that I child have something to take with them when they feel alone or scared. show less

"Fred Stays with Me" is wonderful and necessary. The little girl in the book sometimes lives with her mom and sometimes lives with her dad, but no matter what, she always has Fred the dog with her. She tells about how she has two rooms and can still have the same friends and school. She also shows each parent's frustration with Fred either barking too much or eating all the socks, but their frustration is never with the little girl, which I appreciated. Fred and the little girl go to the park with mom and the lake with dad. Fred the dog is such a constant in this girl's life and she can always count on him to be there. I think children of divorce need constants and support in their life. Especially having something travel with them show more through the transitions of living situations. It was cute when neither parent wanted Fred to stay with them and the little girl simply says ,"Excuse me, Fred doesn't stay with either of you. Fred stays with ME!" This was something that was all hers that she didn't have to share. show less

This is a great book reminding parents that divorce is not just about them, it is about their children. The main character and Fred, the dog have a unique bond that keep them inseparable throughout transitions from Mom and Dads house.

Fred Stays with Me! tells the story of a young girl who shares her life going between mom and dads with a dog named Fred. This story reflects on the experience of living in two households after her parents’ separation. Fred is the girl's constant source of emotional support as she navigates the difficult challenges of mom and dad separating and having two homes.

I very much enjoyed this story of a young girl whose parents are divorced. Sometimes she is with her mother, and other times she is with her father. But, always Fred, her beloved dog stays with her! Fred eats the crumbs of the pizza her mother purchases; Fred sleeps on the floor of her bedroom at her dad's house.

Fred has a nasty habit of eating all of her dads socks, and this makes him very mad. Fred has a habit of making her mother's car seats dirty, and at times she is very tired of his constant barking. Both mom and dad say "What am I going to do with Fred???"

Both parents tell her that Fred cannot stay with them. And, the girl states "Fred doesn't have to stay with either of you! FRED STAYS WITH ME!"

A beautiful book with an important story to tell. A young girl is shuttled back and forth between divorced parents. Her world is split between two places but the one constant in her life is that her dog, Fred, goes with her where ever she goes. The illustrations are done in sepia tones that warm the heart. The story is told from the girl's point of view and the point is...where she stays...Fred stays.

This would be a fantastic story to read to any child, but especially a child of divorce. This little girl goes back and forth between her mom's and dad's house, but her dog Fred always stays with her. Great story about how she still goes to the same school and has her same friends, she just has two homes. Great meaning behind this cute picture book.