My daddy's going away
Christopher MacGregor
My daddy's going away
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Christopher MacGregor
Illustrated by Yarlett, Emma, illustrator
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Daddy’s packing his bags, and you can hear the quiet buzz of the car outside. The house feels different already—empty in the corners where his laughter used to live. What will happen while he’s gone?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This gentle, rhyming story helps young children understand and cope with the temporary absence of a parent, inspired by the author’s own military experience. Suitable for ages 5-8, it offers comfort and practical ways to manage separation anxiety without frightening details. The book also supports families with military connections and promotes emotional resilience.
Why we rated My daddy's going away 7LE
My daddy's going away is written at a Level 2 reading level across 30 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, My daddy's going away works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate My daddy's going away as 7LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, My daddy's going away explores separation anxiety, family, juvenile literature, and rhyming stories — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about separation anxiety, family, juvenile literature.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
My Dad is Going Away, but He Will be Back One Day; A Deployment Story
James Thomas - undifferentiated
My Dad is Going Away, but He Will be Back One Day; A Deployment Story
James Thomas - undifferentiated
My Daddy
Susan Paradis
My Daddy
Susan Paradis
Daddy, Will You Miss Me?
Wendy McCormick
Daddy, Will You Miss Me?
Wendy McCormick
My Daddy Is a Truck Driver
Alexandra Cannon
My Daddy Is a Truck Driver
Alexandra Cannon
On the Day His Daddy Left (Concept Books (Albert Whitman))
Eric J. Adams
On the Day His Daddy Left (Concept Books (Albert Whitman))
Eric J. Adams
My Daddy, My SWO
Matthew Miller
My Daddy, My SWO
Matthew Miller
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780857532114
- Pages
- 30
- Publisher
- Random House
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction