About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is pulling out every trick in the book to prevent you from going out for the evening. Whether it is a sudden 'stomach ache,' a refusal to eat dinner, or the dramatic claim that they will be lonely forever, this story captures the exact internal monologue of a child facing separation anxiety. Judith Viorst uses her signature wit to validate the intense, often funny, and very real feelings children experience when parents leave them with a babysitter. While the book centers on a child's protest, it serves as a gentle bridge for families to discuss the 'good-bye' process. It normalizes the resistance and the big emotions that come with transition. By the end, it provides a quiet comfort: the reassurance that while the good-bye is hard, the return is certain and the love is constant. It is an ideal read for preschoolers and early elementary students who struggle with the bedtime transition or the arrival of a sitter.
