The Friskative Dog

Reach for this book when your child is processing a confusing or sudden absence of a parent, particularly when the reasons are shrouded in adult secrecy or legal trouble. Sharron is a young girl whose father disappears without explanation, leaving her to navigate her grief and school life with only her stuffed dog, Friskative, for comfort. As the truth about her father's incarceration slowly emerges, Sharron must balance her love for him with the reality of his mistakes. This gentle story provides a mirror for children experiencing the shame and isolation that often accompany having an incarcerated parent. It is highly appropriate for elementary and early middle schoolers, offering a realistic but hopeful look at how a child's world can stay standing even when a pillar of their life is removed. Parents will value how it validates a child's need to hold onto happy memories while acknowledging difficult truths.