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Fred Stays With Me!
Told from the point of view of a young child whose parents are divorced, Fred Stays with Me! follows a girl and her dog, Fred, from one parent's house to the other's, giving her a sense of continuity and stability. With a simple text and childlike language, the story expresses and addresses a child's concerns, highlights the friendship between child and pet, presents a common ground for the parents, and resolves conflict in a positive way. Tricia Tusa's charming and whimsical artwork adds a light, happy feel to this poignant--but not overly sentimental--story.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2007
13 people are currently reading
1969 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Coffelt
33 books16 followersNancy Coffelt is an author and artist from Portland, Oregon - best known for her work on childrens' and young adult books, including Fred Stays With Me and Listen.
She often features dogs in her work, and a lot of her stories revolve around dogs. Her art has been featured in galleries, and she illustrates several of her own books.
She often features dogs in her work, and a lot of her stories revolve around dogs. Her art has been featured in galleries, and she illustrates several of her own books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 222 reviews
October 29, 2009
Fred Stays With Me! is a cute story about a girl who sometimes stays with her dad and sometimes stays with her mom, but her dog, Fred, always stays with her! While her stays with her parents are different, bunk bed vs. single bed and pizza vs. peanut butter sandwiches, the one thing that stays the same is that Fred gets in trouble. He barks at dogs and chews up socks to the point where the little girl's parents exclaim, "Fred can't stay with me!" The little girl quickly makes her feelings clear by letting them know that Fred doesn't stay with them, he stays with her!
I really enjoyed this picture book. The author deals with the subject of divorce in a realistic and honest way without going into all of the sadness that it sometimes entails. Kids don't always want to have to think about the negative effects divorce has on them, and some kids' parents have been divorced as long as they can remember so it is a natural part of life to take turns staying with one then the other. Also, this book lets children know that divorce doesn't change everything in your life. School, friends and pets can still stay the same. This story has predictable text with something first happening at mom's house and then happening at dad's house. The soft and muted cartoon illustrations complement the words and make you fall in love with this little troublemaker of a dog! The story is from the girl's point of view, and the illustrations add to the viewpoint by not showing full picutres of the mom or dad. Grades PreK-3
I really enjoyed this picture book. The author deals with the subject of divorce in a realistic and honest way without going into all of the sadness that it sometimes entails. Kids don't always want to have to think about the negative effects divorce has on them, and some kids' parents have been divorced as long as they can remember so it is a natural part of life to take turns staying with one then the other. Also, this book lets children know that divorce doesn't change everything in your life. School, friends and pets can still stay the same. This story has predictable text with something first happening at mom's house and then happening at dad's house. The soft and muted cartoon illustrations complement the words and make you fall in love with this little troublemaker of a dog! The story is from the girl's point of view, and the illustrations add to the viewpoint by not showing full picutres of the mom or dad. Grades PreK-3
April 13, 2018
A sweet story about a young girl and her dog, Fred. The girl’s parents are divorced, and although things are different with the two sides of her family, the one constant is her dog.
June 16, 2011
4.5 STARS A thoughtful and sensitive look at how divorce affects one little girl. Thought it's clear that she loves both her parents, and both her homes, and that she is well loved by each we can also sense the difficulties and frustrations of having two separate but related lives. Fred, her dog, is the one constant as, no matter where she goes, Fred stays with her. I think this is a smart and delicate book on a difficult subject. The illustrations are wonderful!
March 16, 2013
Summary: Divorce isn't easy, but it helps when you have a friend like Fred. But Fred likes to steal socks and make a mess, and Mom and Dad are mad that Fred is such a troublemaker! If Fred can't stay with Mom or Dad, who will he stay with?
Of course, the answer is "with me!" meaning the young narrator of this cute picture book. This is a good concept book and the letterbox-style, autumn color-tinted illustrations give the story a cozy feel.
Of course, the answer is "with me!" meaning the young narrator of this cute picture book. This is a good concept book and the letterbox-style, autumn color-tinted illustrations give the story a cozy feel.
February 5, 2020
A cute picture book about a little girl who splits her life between her two parents after they divorce - but the one constant is her dog Fred who stays with her no matter where she goes. An important depiction of how complex families can be and yet how simple it is to still love one another even if you're not always together.
May 16, 2018
Fred stays with me, is a simply beautiful illustrated book. The illustrators take on the authors words, added just enough details, to make the story believable. The life of a little girl and her best friend Fred was a bit complicated. Sometime the little girl lives with her mom, and sometimes she lives with her dad. Fred her playful dog, creates a ruckus, at both of her residents. When neither parent wants to keep the dog, she comes up with a solution, but the main point was Fred stays with her.
I think this book is great for children K-2. It’s an easy read that teaches the lesson of compromising, to solve problems. I would use this book in a class setting to discuss finding solutions. It can also be used as a social discussion on family issues such as divorce, and shared custody. It’s the type of book you never know, when you may need. The kind of book that lets a child know, that they are not alone.
I think this book is great for children K-2. It’s an easy read that teaches the lesson of compromising, to solve problems. I would use this book in a class setting to discuss finding solutions. It can also be used as a social discussion on family issues such as divorce, and shared custody. It’s the type of book you never know, when you may need. The kind of book that lets a child know, that they are not alone.
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September 25, 2025I’ll have to read this book again when I’m a little older. It has a great message, but I just wanted to play with the cover
September 23, 2012
Sometimes the little girl in this book stays with her mother and sometimes she stays with her father. But it doesn’t matter if she sleeps in the bunk bed at one house or the regular bed at the other, Fred stays with her. In a matter-of-fact fashion, the girl explains how her life works with her separated parents. Although she points out the differences in her two homes, she also points out the things that stay the same. She has the same friends, goes to the same school, and both her parents are fed up with Fred! When each of her parents say, “Fred can’t stay with me!” the girl puts her foot down, “Excuse me, Fred doesn’t stay with either of you. Fred stays with ME!”
The text is written from the little girl’s perspective and the tone perfectly captures a child’s manner of describing events. Although the book is clearly about divorce, this word is never mentioned. It’s refreshing to read a book about the topic that doesn’t feature a character struggling to accept the situation or trying to get their parents back together. All the characters seem to accept the separated status quo; this is just the way life is for them. The humorous mostly sepia-toned illustrations remind me of candid photographs. They seem to capture moments in the girl’s life in mid-motion.
Full Review at Picture-Book-a-Day: http://picturebookaday.blogspot.com/2...
The text is written from the little girl’s perspective and the tone perfectly captures a child’s manner of describing events. Although the book is clearly about divorce, this word is never mentioned. It’s refreshing to read a book about the topic that doesn’t feature a character struggling to accept the situation or trying to get their parents back together. All the characters seem to accept the separated status quo; this is just the way life is for them. The humorous mostly sepia-toned illustrations remind me of candid photographs. They seem to capture moments in the girl’s life in mid-motion.
Full Review at Picture-Book-a-Day: http://picturebookaday.blogspot.com/2...
February 22, 2012
Fred Stays with Me by Nancy Coffelt and illustrated by Tricia Tusa is a story of a girl, who is never named, that has two homes but her dog Fred stays with her. "Sometimes I live with my mom. Sometimes I live with my dad." The girl always has Fred by her side, but Fred is causing trouble, barking at the neighbor's poodle or stealing all of dad's socks. Both mom and dad have had enough with Fred and say "Fred can't stay with me!" The girl responds with "Excuse me … Fred doesn't stay with either of you. Fred stays with ME!" So the girl and her mom and dad come up with a plan that makes everybody happy, even the neighbor's poodle.
A Kirkus starred review, recommends ages 4-8. Coffelt does an excellent job in making the story from the girl's point of view and having Fred, her trusty companion, there through everything. Coffelt never uses the word divorce, just "Sometimes I live with my mom. Sometimes I live with my dad." She lives it to the reader to decide. Tusa does an excellent job in the soft edged watercolor illustrations. I really enjoyed Tusa's illustration of the girl, in a spotlight, explaining to her mom and dad that Fred doesn't stay with either of them, he stays with her!
This is a great book to show the diversity of families. I am not sure how else I would use this book in the classroom.
A Kirkus starred review, recommends ages 4-8. Coffelt does an excellent job in making the story from the girl's point of view and having Fred, her trusty companion, there through everything. Coffelt never uses the word divorce, just "Sometimes I live with my mom. Sometimes I live with my dad." She lives it to the reader to decide. Tusa does an excellent job in the soft edged watercolor illustrations. I really enjoyed Tusa's illustration of the girl, in a spotlight, explaining to her mom and dad that Fred doesn't stay with either of them, he stays with her!
This is a great book to show the diversity of families. I am not sure how else I would use this book in the classroom.
February 13, 2011
Fred Stays with Me by Nancy Coffelt and illustrated by Trica Tusa (2007)
Picture Book, 32 pages
Living at each parent’s respective home, the protagonist in Fred Stays with Me gets picked up and dropped off between divorced parents. Her adjustment to the lifestyle and separation seems to be going well because of Fred, her constant dog companion who shares her travels, while creating a disaster in his wake at both parents’ homes. As parents fight over who has to take Fred, the main character confidently interrupts her parents to remind them, “Excuse me! Fred stays with ME!” This book can work as an aid for children with newly separated parents but is also a reminder for parents, reinforcing consistency during this often difficult change in a child’s life. In a book more about regularity and companionship, Coffelt introduces another type of family in a matter-of-fact manner, while Tusa uses warm colors and welcoming illustrations to help young readers adjust to the concept. With its design and careful wording, Fred Stays with Me would be a great book to share with a group.
Picture Book, 32 pages
Living at each parent’s respective home, the protagonist in Fred Stays with Me gets picked up and dropped off between divorced parents. Her adjustment to the lifestyle and separation seems to be going well because of Fred, her constant dog companion who shares her travels, while creating a disaster in his wake at both parents’ homes. As parents fight over who has to take Fred, the main character confidently interrupts her parents to remind them, “Excuse me! Fred stays with ME!” This book can work as an aid for children with newly separated parents but is also a reminder for parents, reinforcing consistency during this often difficult change in a child’s life. In a book more about regularity and companionship, Coffelt introduces another type of family in a matter-of-fact manner, while Tusa uses warm colors and welcoming illustrations to help young readers adjust to the concept. With its design and careful wording, Fred Stays with Me would be a great book to share with a group.
April 24, 2018
I love that this book acknowledges being a child with two homes and finding solutions to problematic behavior (it just happens to be the behavior of Fred, the dog). I imagine many children with separated parents would feel less alone with a book similar to this. However, I didn't like that both parents gave up on Fred for a moment when they said "Fred can't stay with me!" If I could glue those two pages together without it being noticeable, I would. I think that the parents giving up on Fred is not very reassuring to children who are struggling with their parent's separation and/or children who may be acting out because of the separation.
January 19, 2012
The nameless main character of this story has divorced parents. Sometimes she lives with mom and sometimes she lives with dad--but her dog, Fred always stays with her. While coping with divorce is not the main intention of this book, it does shed light on an important aspect. Children need consistency and Fred was able to offer a sense of consistency for this character. The brown, red, sepia tones of the illustrations contributed to the calm feel of the book.
Great story that is sure to offer comfort to those that can relate.
Great story that is sure to offer comfort to those that can relate.
November 18, 2008
A little girl who shares one home with her mother and another home with her father, seems to live two separate lives. One thing stays the same, however, and that is her dog Fred. This is a cute story for children who are struggling to understand what a divorce will mean for them, and for parents who sometimes need a wake up call!
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May 16, 2016I wish there were a way to know the subject of a children's picture book prior to opening it up and reading it. Like a big star on the front that clearly states, "Warning! Responsible youth dog owner narrative ahead! Prepare yourself with a million reasons why you can't get a dog!" Yeah, something like that be appreciated.
September 20, 2007
Amid the confusion of living with divorced parents, a pet dog provides consistancy for a little girl. The book is reassuring without being overbearing.
December 11, 2007
Great story for kids of divorce.
August 7, 2013
lovely story about a girl, her dog and divorce. I love the sepia toned illustrations in this book.
September 20, 2015
A solid read about a young girl whose dog helps her work through her parents' divorce. I really enjoyed the almost monochromatic pictures.
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August 15, 2016I like my dog and if my dog stay with me forever but not, because I have a work or in future to the world! I love my dogs!
November 19, 2017
Summary
This story is about a girl and her dog, who have parents that are separated. She sometimes lives with her mother, and sometimes with her father. Depending on where she lives, she sleeps in a certain bed and eat different kinds of food. But she still goes to the same school and play with the same friends as she used to. However, her dog Fred, is doing things her parents do not like such as eating their socks or barking on their neighbor’s dog. So, her parents are trying to tell her that they do not want Fred to live with them, but the girl stands up for her dog and herself, and tells them that Fred is staying with her.
Major themes
The love and relation between a dog and a person, standing up for what you believe in and living with separated parents
A personal response
I enjoyed reading this book, mainly because of the beautiful relationship between the girl and her dog, but also because of how the author presented what it could be like living with separated parents. This story is not about showing possible negatives sides of separated parents, but instead it shows that a child could have separated parents and still feel good, and live in a completely normal and healthy way. I also enjoyed reading it because I could recognize the love she feels to her pet, since I have felt that too.
Why I recommend this book
First of all, this book tells what it could be like to live in two homes with separated parents in a natural way which I think is good. I think that this book works as a mirror for many students and I believe that many students could apply her story on their own lives. There are likely students in a class, who live with separated parents and enjoys reading about others who do too. There might also be students who have a close relationship to their pet and enjoy reading about others who feel the same love as they do towards their pet. For these students, it could be good to read this book and see that there are others who are in the same situation as themselves or feel in the same way as them. For students who are not living with separated parents or feel the same love to a pet, it could be beneficial for them to read this to in order to gain more understanding for others who do.
This story is about a girl and her dog, who have parents that are separated. She sometimes lives with her mother, and sometimes with her father. Depending on where she lives, she sleeps in a certain bed and eat different kinds of food. But she still goes to the same school and play with the same friends as she used to. However, her dog Fred, is doing things her parents do not like such as eating their socks or barking on their neighbor’s dog. So, her parents are trying to tell her that they do not want Fred to live with them, but the girl stands up for her dog and herself, and tells them that Fred is staying with her.
Major themes
The love and relation between a dog and a person, standing up for what you believe in and living with separated parents
A personal response
I enjoyed reading this book, mainly because of the beautiful relationship between the girl and her dog, but also because of how the author presented what it could be like living with separated parents. This story is not about showing possible negatives sides of separated parents, but instead it shows that a child could have separated parents and still feel good, and live in a completely normal and healthy way. I also enjoyed reading it because I could recognize the love she feels to her pet, since I have felt that too.
Why I recommend this book
First of all, this book tells what it could be like to live in two homes with separated parents in a natural way which I think is good. I think that this book works as a mirror for many students and I believe that many students could apply her story on their own lives. There are likely students in a class, who live with separated parents and enjoys reading about others who do too. There might also be students who have a close relationship to their pet and enjoy reading about others who feel the same love as they do towards their pet. For these students, it could be good to read this book and see that there are others who are in the same situation as themselves or feel in the same way as them. For students who are not living with separated parents or feel the same love to a pet, it could be beneficial for them to read this to in order to gain more understanding for others who do.
February 6, 2020
Fred Stays with Me! by Nancy Coffelt and illustrated by Tricia Tusa is a great story about a young girl with divorced parents. The text is simple, but it goes back and forth of comparing her life at her moms vs life at her dads with little things like eating pizza at her moms or eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches from her dads. She always mentions, though, that Fred her dog stays with her. The dog travels from house to house with her, and the reader soon is told of the trouble that Fred gets into at each house. The young girl is challenged with neither parent wanting Fred to stay at their house, and she is upset and says "Fred doesn't stay with either of you. He stays with ME!" They then come up with a plan for both houses on how to solve their issues, and the story concludes with a small picture of her and Fred playing. It is a sweet story and I think a lot of kids with divorced parents can somewhat relate to her! The illustrations aren't very colorful, but they're well done and help to get the story across. This is a great story to read in small groups in kindergarten or first grade to teach students about different types off home lives. I really liked the theme of this story, and although the text was juvenile, I think this would be a great book to start a discussion in a classroom.
February 10, 2018
This book is a story of a young girl with divorced parents. She stays with her mom and her dad, but he dog Fred always stays with her. She runs into difficulties with Fred, like he eats all the socks and barks at the neighbor's dog. When both her mom and dad tell her that Fred can't stay with either of them she said "Excuse me. Fred doesn't stay with you. Fred stays with me." They then come to the solution of having Fred make friends with the neighbor's dog and get him chew toys. The fun colorful, watercolor illustrations complete the story. The joy on Fred's face shows that he doesn't care that he is at a different house, he just loves being around his family.
This book is an amazing one to show children that divorce does not have to change your life and be upsetting. This book is great for an ages going through a family divorce or separation. I would most likely use it with kids between the ages of 5-8.
This book is an amazing one to show children that divorce does not have to change your life and be upsetting. This book is great for an ages going through a family divorce or separation. I would most likely use it with kids between the ages of 5-8.
February 20, 2017
This is a balanced and heartwarming tale of a little girl caught in the very real situation of a broken marriage. Her capacity to cope and thrive with both parents in spite of their split is enhanced by her dog Fred, who like the girl herself, never takes sides nor judges, rather he remains loyal to the once shared constant in the situation - the little girl.
The text is stripped bare of unnecessary sentimentality and simple enough for even very young children to connect with. I love the little girl's assertive defiance when she and Fred are confronted by her parents' refusal to have him around anymore. Again it's simple and powerful. Tusa's superb duo-tone illustrations fill each page with sepia coloured warmth. A wonderful tale to encourage openness and understanding between parents and children when faced with challenging life changing situations.
The text is stripped bare of unnecessary sentimentality and simple enough for even very young children to connect with. I love the little girl's assertive defiance when she and Fred are confronted by her parents' refusal to have him around anymore. Again it's simple and powerful. Tusa's superb duo-tone illustrations fill each page with sepia coloured warmth. A wonderful tale to encourage openness and understanding between parents and children when faced with challenging life changing situations.
July 23, 2018
Because her parents are divorced, a young girl has to adjust to living in two different homes. Throughout the sweet story, the girl shares how things are the same and different at each house, but the one absolute constant is that her dog Fred always stays with her. Her mom complains that Fred constantly barks at the poodle next door, and her dad complains that Fred keeps steals socks. As a result of his antics, both parents state “Fred can’t stay with me!” In response, the girl boldly reminds her parents that “Fred doesn’t stay with either of you. Fred stays with ME!,” which prompts each parent to come up with a plan to solve their problem with Fred. I loved this story not only because it celebrates the love between a child and her pet but also it shows that divorced parents can work together in the best interest of their child.
December 10, 2020
The sub-text I was thinking of when mom and dad say the dog can't stay with them and the girl is like, "uh, he stays with me?" was "Look here mom and dad- you've made life difficult for me and I've had to go along with it, but so help me if you try to take away the best thing I have, I will never forgive you!!" And honestly, I felt like parents need this reminder maybe more than kids; that kids need continuity and familiarity and things that make them feel loved and good. Let them keep the dog- geez, why would eating socks ever be reason enough to get rid of your child's pet? Anyway. This was a good one- maybe more for kids who already have divorced parents, but some sort of issue is cropping up. Great illustrations.
October 11, 2021
A cute little picture book about a tough subject. A little girl and her dog Fred are shuffled between the houses of her divorced parents. Fred is the one consistent thing in her life. However, Fred is not exactly very well behaved, and soon, both parents are saying that Fred cannot stay with either of them until the little girl loudly declares that Fred stays WITH HER. The parents have no choice but to agree with her. Divorce is a sticky and challenging situation for children, so to see the little girl advocate for herself and make it clear that where she goes, Fred goes allows children to know that they can take care of themselves. It helps them see that even though parents are separated, they will always want what's best for their kid.
February 29, 2024
This book is about a girl who bounces between going to her mom and dad's houses because they are divorced. The one constant she has is her dog, Fred. Fred causes some struggles at both the mom and the dad's houses, but the girl insists that Fred stays with her wherever she is. Her parents deal with the problems with Fred together in a positive way to keep their child happy and do what is best for her. I would have this in my classroom because it shows how some children have parents who are divorced, but divorce does not have to be an ugly thing. The girl in the story has her dog as a constant in her life and her parents are devoted to keeping her healthy and happy, which is the most important thing.
September 29, 2018
Fred Stays with Me Is a cute story about a girl whose parents are divorced. Sometimes she stays with her mom, sometimes she stays with her dad, but her dog, Fred, always stays with her! The author does a great job talking about the differences that occur when going back and forth between houses, but one of the things that stay the same is Fred is ALWAYS in trouble! After a series of events the parents both say, “Fred can’t stay with me!” The little girl lets them know that Fred doesn't stay with them, he stays with her! This is a great story that puts a positive light on a difficult topic.
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September 17, 2021This story follows a young girl who turns to the one constant in her life, her dog Fred, in the face of her parent's divorce. It goes through her daily life about how Fred goes from her mom's house to her dad's house, but is always with her and not her parents.
This could be used in several ways in the classroom. To start out, you could use it to teach how to compare and contrast. In the book, she compares and contrasts what she has at each of her parent's houses. You could also discuss how we can focus on the positives in tough times as she did in the book.
This could be used in several ways in the classroom. To start out, you could use it to teach how to compare and contrast. In the book, she compares and contrasts what she has at each of her parent's houses. You could also discuss how we can focus on the positives in tough times as she did in the book.
September 29, 2021
This book showed a problem and a solution as should children's books. Here we have white space for the words, as I see that the illustrations were very well developed in order to tell the story on their own. The title correlates throughout the book as we see that Fred is always with our narrator, the story line does not shift from these two. These characters play an impact on the mother and the father as we see the conflict resolved. I believe this book is an excellent example for a problem and solution class.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 222 reviews