Book Review: Lily Hates Goodbyes by Jerilyn Marler, Illus. by Nathan Stoltenberg

Lily Hates Goodbyes is a timely book that tugs at your heart. The story explores the emotional ups and downs Lily experiences when her daddy leaves for the military for an extended amount of time.

So many children go through much turmoil not understanding fully why their fathers have to be gone. Mothers and grandparents can use this book as a good resource to help children cope with their father’s absence.

What resonates well with me is the way Lily’s mom allows her to get angry about her daddy’s absence. With the aid of her mom Lily finds various ways to cope that will help her until her daddy returns home. Lily’s mom also encourages Lily to draw many pictures of what is going on around her and places them into a box so her daddy can look at them when he returns home.

It is no doubt a very scary situation for a young child to learn to deal with the absence of a beloved parent, but this book really gives realistic and useful ways to cope with that unfortunate predicament that many military families must face.

Illustrator Nathan Stoltenberg’s captures the true essence of this story with vivid pictures that will warm many hearts.