What do you think?
Rate this book
When Daddy Prays
When Daddy prays
my fear of darkness disappears
and angels tiptoe down the hall.
I hear them through the door and wall . . .when Daddy prays. " In this collection of new poems by Nikki Grimes, a child learns about prayer from his father, whose prayers carry the family through each day -- no matter what the circumstances.
Nikki Grimes believes that spirituality and prayer are signs of true strength and power. When Daddy Prays celebrates fathers who help their children see this. Nikki writes, "In my view there is no more powerful image than that of a strong man bowing before God."
And illustrator Tim Ladwig has created remarkable images, rich with tenderness and touches of affectionate humor, to enhance and complete this exceptional book.
my fear of darkness disappears
and angels tiptoe down the hall.
I hear them through the door and wall . . .when Daddy prays. " In this collection of new poems by Nikki Grimes, a child learns about prayer from his father, whose prayers carry the family through each day -- no matter what the circumstances.
Nikki Grimes believes that spirituality and prayer are signs of true strength and power. When Daddy Prays celebrates fathers who help their children see this. Nikki writes, "In my view there is no more powerful image than that of a strong man bowing before God."
And illustrator Tim Ladwig has created remarkable images, rich with tenderness and touches of affectionate humor, to enhance and complete this exceptional book.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2002
82 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 21, 2018
What a wonderful book that illustrates the power of practicing what you preach. You never know when your children are watching you and what they are thinking. As a wife of a pastor and mom of 3 boys, this book really captured what I hope my boys see when they watch their dad. I loved the illustrations as well, which capture the love the father and son have for each other. The illustration for "December Morning" shows the father praying at the window and I think it is meant to be from the son's perspective, because he looks almost larger than life which is the way I imagine the young boy sees his dad.
July 19, 2020
A delightful collection of children's poetry about a little Afro-American boy and his daddy. My favorite is "Lost and Found", ending with the boy saying, "Ask God to help you find it-like you always tell ME to." Also, the poem "Like Him" ends with "I hurry to him, drop to my knees and kneel in his shadow. I already know what to say-'Our Father, whose heart is heaven...'" Words and pictures work together to paint the picture of a humble, caring, loving father.
March 3, 2022
Lovely book of poetry that wonderfully articulates the relationship between a father and a son. I especially loved "December Morning" which expresses a parents desire to protect their child while also giving them freedom.
Not really suitable for Sunday school as class; maybe as a classroom book.
Not really suitable for Sunday school as class; maybe as a classroom book.
January 11, 2011
Grimes, Nikki. (2002). When Daddy Prays. Ill. Tim Ladwig. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
Nikki Grimes works with painter-illustrator Tim Ladwig to bring to life the beautiful, tender relationship between father and son in a devout African-American family in When Daddy Prays, a collection of 14 poems appropriate for young and emerging readers in early- to mid-elementary school. The theme of the collection is incredibly relatable to any child growing up in a home where faith is important: that true strength and power are attained through a spiritual connection with a higher power. In this specific book, the higher power is the Christian god, to whom the young main character's father prays for help and guidance in every aspect of his life, from lighthearted times (like finding lost keys or cheering at a baseball game) to more serious occasions (like comforting a child sick with fever).
Many poetic devices are at work in the poem “When Daddy Prays” (p. 7). The key phrase “when Daddy prays” is repeated at the beginning and end of each stanza, adding to the distinct, driving rhythm of the alternating weak-strong beat. Onomatopoeia is present in the sound of the angels' whispers floating the boy off to sleep with a velvet “husssshhh.” These devices work with the carefully-chosen words of the piece to convey the theme. It is not often that we attribute strength with someone whose “muscled shoulders shake” or whose “lips become all trembly” or who has “tears in his voice,” but that is exactly the message Grimes is sending in this poem—that the peace that falls over the boy as he drifts off to sleep is a direct result of his father's strength in deep and meaningful prayer. The second stanza of the poem is brought to life in the accompanying illustration, where a trio of angels “tiptoe down the hall” outside the young boy's room, shushing one another. Compared to the boy, who can easily be covered by a thumb, the angels are immense, taking up nearly an entire page. The gutter separates the young boy from the angels almost entirely. The only thing crossing the gutter is one of the angels hands, so that his fingertips are resting on the frame of the boy's open bedroom door. This gives the impression that even though he cannot see the angels, he can still sense their presence. The delight on his face strengthens this impression. The use of lighting and color here is compelling, as in many of the other illustrations, with the angels illuminated in golden light, which spreads through the dark hallway from their glowing bodies and makes the colors vibrant. This light is also symbolic of the spreading calm the boy feels when he hears his father praying, as if the presence of spirituality in his family and home is as warming to him as the light is to the hallway. Comically, the rollerblades left in the hallway (barely noticeable at first glance) foreshadow a future poem in which the father trips over them and gets angry.
One of the more serious poems in the book is presented on page 27. In the piece “Hot Head,” the boy is feeling ill on a Monday night. Word choice illuminates the traditions of Monday nights, with the little boy telling us first that they're “holy as Sunday” in the eyes of his father, who “coaches TV football from an easy chair.” This paints a picture in the reader's mind, and it is the word “coaches” that truly allows us to expand upon exactly what Daddy looks like when watching football—raising his voice when a play doesn't go as planned, gesturing energetically to the TV, getting excited and yelling in victory when a play goes well. The boy also explains how the children are expected to “tiptoe” during the games, giving the impression that Daddy doesn't like to be disturbed. But on this particular Monday, the boy has a fever and goes to his father, who holds him and prays for him. The illustration brings the depth of his caring to life, showing that he tends to his son with gentle strength even though his game has been disturbed. The shadow-thick lines of his arms encircle the sick child, giving a sense of deep comfort and love. The color palette here is brighter than normal, the bright orange-rust skin tone the most noticeable. It looks not warm and comfortable, but hot, an expression of how uncomfortable the fever must be for the boy. His facial expression bares the frown of sickness and discomfort, but also seems at peace in his father's capable arms. The father himself appears worried, but calm as well, as if both father and son are gathering strength from the other and from prayer. The perspective of the illustration is from above, as if we are looking at the pair through heavenly eyes.
The poetry of When Daddy Prays seeks to spread the message of togetherness and love that come with the spirituality of a religion. The illustrations deeply enhance the meaning of each of the fourteen poems, bathing each figure in rich golden light to produce warm, comforting colors. Had we ever doubted the strength and goodness that Daddy receives from his religion, we simply have to look at the shining happiness on his face in the very last poem-less illustration to feel the warmth it brings to him.
Nikki Grimes works with painter-illustrator Tim Ladwig to bring to life the beautiful, tender relationship between father and son in a devout African-American family in When Daddy Prays, a collection of 14 poems appropriate for young and emerging readers in early- to mid-elementary school. The theme of the collection is incredibly relatable to any child growing up in a home where faith is important: that true strength and power are attained through a spiritual connection with a higher power. In this specific book, the higher power is the Christian god, to whom the young main character's father prays for help and guidance in every aspect of his life, from lighthearted times (like finding lost keys or cheering at a baseball game) to more serious occasions (like comforting a child sick with fever).
Many poetic devices are at work in the poem “When Daddy Prays” (p. 7). The key phrase “when Daddy prays” is repeated at the beginning and end of each stanza, adding to the distinct, driving rhythm of the alternating weak-strong beat. Onomatopoeia is present in the sound of the angels' whispers floating the boy off to sleep with a velvet “husssshhh.” These devices work with the carefully-chosen words of the piece to convey the theme. It is not often that we attribute strength with someone whose “muscled shoulders shake” or whose “lips become all trembly” or who has “tears in his voice,” but that is exactly the message Grimes is sending in this poem—that the peace that falls over the boy as he drifts off to sleep is a direct result of his father's strength in deep and meaningful prayer. The second stanza of the poem is brought to life in the accompanying illustration, where a trio of angels “tiptoe down the hall” outside the young boy's room, shushing one another. Compared to the boy, who can easily be covered by a thumb, the angels are immense, taking up nearly an entire page. The gutter separates the young boy from the angels almost entirely. The only thing crossing the gutter is one of the angels hands, so that his fingertips are resting on the frame of the boy's open bedroom door. This gives the impression that even though he cannot see the angels, he can still sense their presence. The delight on his face strengthens this impression. The use of lighting and color here is compelling, as in many of the other illustrations, with the angels illuminated in golden light, which spreads through the dark hallway from their glowing bodies and makes the colors vibrant. This light is also symbolic of the spreading calm the boy feels when he hears his father praying, as if the presence of spirituality in his family and home is as warming to him as the light is to the hallway. Comically, the rollerblades left in the hallway (barely noticeable at first glance) foreshadow a future poem in which the father trips over them and gets angry.
One of the more serious poems in the book is presented on page 27. In the piece “Hot Head,” the boy is feeling ill on a Monday night. Word choice illuminates the traditions of Monday nights, with the little boy telling us first that they're “holy as Sunday” in the eyes of his father, who “coaches TV football from an easy chair.” This paints a picture in the reader's mind, and it is the word “coaches” that truly allows us to expand upon exactly what Daddy looks like when watching football—raising his voice when a play doesn't go as planned, gesturing energetically to the TV, getting excited and yelling in victory when a play goes well. The boy also explains how the children are expected to “tiptoe” during the games, giving the impression that Daddy doesn't like to be disturbed. But on this particular Monday, the boy has a fever and goes to his father, who holds him and prays for him. The illustration brings the depth of his caring to life, showing that he tends to his son with gentle strength even though his game has been disturbed. The shadow-thick lines of his arms encircle the sick child, giving a sense of deep comfort and love. The color palette here is brighter than normal, the bright orange-rust skin tone the most noticeable. It looks not warm and comfortable, but hot, an expression of how uncomfortable the fever must be for the boy. His facial expression bares the frown of sickness and discomfort, but also seems at peace in his father's capable arms. The father himself appears worried, but calm as well, as if both father and son are gathering strength from the other and from prayer. The perspective of the illustration is from above, as if we are looking at the pair through heavenly eyes.
The poetry of When Daddy Prays seeks to spread the message of togetherness and love that come with the spirituality of a religion. The illustrations deeply enhance the meaning of each of the fourteen poems, bathing each figure in rich golden light to produce warm, comforting colors. Had we ever doubted the strength and goodness that Daddy receives from his religion, we simply have to look at the shining happiness on his face in the very last poem-less illustration to feel the warmth it brings to him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2017
Precious, precious! A father goes through the every day tasks of life, asking God for guidance and giving Him thanks for everything--all in front of his impressionable son who is learning, learning. :) Beautifully illustrated, a wonderful treat for you and your family.
October 11, 2022
A lovely collection of poetry centered around a praying father and his son. For the sake of my kids' personal connection to the poems, I wish that there was some father-daughter poetry included, but it's still a wonderful little book.
February 4, 2018
Beautiful book that inspires and tugs at the heart-strings.
February 7, 2021
Beautiful pics, beautiful representation, beautiful poetry
February 23, 2022
Powerful
May 12, 2022
Restored my faith when I needed it. The power of prayer and humility in perfect Nikki Grimes poetry. Also, I am officially a Tim Ladwig fangirl.
October 26, 2022
I loved this book because it shows a strong daddy who prays for his family.
September 21, 2017
When Daddy Prays is a children's poem book. When Daddy Prays celebrates fathers who help their children see this. A father goes through the every day tasks of life, asking God for guidance and giving Him thanks for everything--all in front of his impressionable son who is learning, learning. Each poem either directly or indirectly concerns the father's prayer life both private and public. I thought this was a cute book but the poems weren't traditional poems that we are used to. It would be a difficult book to teach about poems with but it would be a cute read aloud to use in spare time.
June 12, 2016
First sentence: May my children see beyond my muscles to your strength. May they find across my broad shoulders the imprint of your wings. May they feel your love in the hollow of my hand. May they hear your voice in the echo of my words.
Premise/plot: When Daddy Prays celebrates family life and PRAYER. This picture book is a collection of poems. Each poem either directly or indirectly concerns the father's prayer life both private and public. For example, the book opens with "A Father's Prayer." I would consider that an actual prayer. (See above). The next poem, "When Daddy Prays," is more of a son's poetic reflection of the effects of his father's prayers. In part, "When Daddy prays my fear of darkness disappears and angels tiptoe down the hall. I hear them through the door and wall. They whisper in a velvet husssshhh that floats me off to sleep when Daddy prays." The third poem, "Daddy Says," seems to be a child's prayer to God. It may just be my favorite of the whole book.
Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 10 out of 10
My thoughts: I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this one. I think it is a MARVELOUS celebration of family life, of a family's devotional life, of faith itself. What a WONDERFUL book celebrating Fathers as well.
Premise/plot: When Daddy Prays celebrates family life and PRAYER. This picture book is a collection of poems. Each poem either directly or indirectly concerns the father's prayer life both private and public. For example, the book opens with "A Father's Prayer." I would consider that an actual prayer. (See above). The next poem, "When Daddy Prays," is more of a son's poetic reflection of the effects of his father's prayers. In part, "When Daddy prays my fear of darkness disappears and angels tiptoe down the hall. I hear them through the door and wall. They whisper in a velvet husssshhh that floats me off to sleep when Daddy prays." The third poem, "Daddy Says," seems to be a child's prayer to God. It may just be my favorite of the whole book.
Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 10 out of 10
Daddy says
you rock him
in your arms
the way he
once rocked me.
That after he
tucks me in
and switches
off the light,
he whispers
secrets to you
through the night
exactly like
I whisper mine
to him.
But yesterday
I think
I heard him say
you're a better
listener.
My thoughts: I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this one. I think it is a MARVELOUS celebration of family life, of a family's devotional life, of faith itself. What a WONDERFUL book celebrating Fathers as well.
November 10, 2013
I LOVE THIS BOOK! If I could give this beautifully written poetry more than 5 stars, I would. There is such a gorgeous honesty and strength in seeing a man kneel before his heavenly Father on behalf of his family. This man represents the kind of father that I want my children to have and the kind of mother I hope to be. When we give every aspect of ourselves and our lives to our Lord and Savior, there is nothing that He can't do. I can only hope that my husband and I raise our children to love Jesus and communicate with Him daily in prayer. Because of the heavy Christian nature of this book, I'm not sure one could get away with having it in the public school classroom. However, I want to go order a copy right now for my own personal bookshelf.
November 7, 2014
I really enjoyed and valued the poetry in this book. All of the poems dealt with a family dynamic and the value of enjoying the moment. My favorite poem was, "When Daddy Prays." This poem made me very emotional. The word choice and use of illustrations flowed so well together and made me appreciate the poem even more. I felt like I was in the book, living in a moment of the characters. This book can be used in many ways to reflect life and the moments of pain and also moments of joy in life.
April 30, 2008
I loved this; poems told in the voice of a child observing his father's very real and deep relationship with God. Beautiful pictures, captures real human emotions in a simple but profound way. I'm not sure what age I would say this is for (except I liked it, so it's good to go for 39-year-olds :-)
March 4, 2015
Wonderful book of poetry about how young Martin Luther King, Jr., wants to be just like his father. Simple poems weave a rich background that is not seen much when discussing King. Beautiful illustrations to match the poems. Great for any age when learning about poetry or King's life.
March 5, 2015
This book of poems was very heart warming and comforting. It really shows the depth of an influence a father has on their child and the model that parents need to be for a child. Recommended for primary and intermediate students.
March 10, 2008
This is a collection of poems. Having 2 boys of my own, I like how the daddy prays for the boy. I like the father/son relationship and how the boy looks up to his daddy and wants to be like him.
April 24, 2012
Absolutely precious!
April 22, 2013
Amazing poetry book filled with powerful meaning. Great book to use to in the classroom and incorporates faith and family.
October 10, 2015
This book is full of touching poems. The poems are written from a child's perspective as he witnesses his father praying.
April 13, 2008
One of the most beautiful collections of poetry I've ever read.
February 4, 2009
wow! powerful book of poetry.
December 23, 2018
Magnificent
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews