Ramona and Her Father facts for kids
First edition
|
|
| Author | Beverly Cleary |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Alan Tiegreen |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Ramona |
| Genre | Children's novel |
| Publisher | William Morrow |
|
Publication date
|
1977 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 186 pp |
| ISBN | 0-688-22114-9 |
| OCLC | 28448197 |
| Preceded by | Ramona the Brave |
| Followed by | Ramona and Her Mother |
Ramona and Her Father is the fourth book about the lively character Ramona Quimby, written by Beverly Cleary. This funny children's novel came out in 1977. In the story, Ramona's dad loses his job. Ramona then tries to find ways to earn money and help her family. The book was recognized as a Newbery Honor Book, which is a special award for children's literature.
Contents
What Happens in the Story
Ramona is doing well in second grade at Glenwood School. Everything seems fine until one day her dad, Mr. Quimby, comes home with bad news. He tells the family that he has lost his job.
Now, the Quimby family has to deal with their dad looking for new work. He fills out job applications and gets unemployment money. Mrs. Quimby starts working full-time to help. But even with her working, money is still very tight for the family.
Mr. Quimby starts to feel sad and worried. Mrs. Quimby tells Ramona and her older sister, Beezus, that they need to be extra careful not to upset their dad even more.
Ramona really wants to help her family. She decides to cross almost everything off her Christmas wish list. Then, she adds one new wish: a happy family. She hopes her wish will come true.
The Quimbys also have other challenges. Their old car, Beezus's creative writing class, and Ramona's efforts to get her dad to stop smoking add to the family's stress. One day, when Ramona is very worried, Mr. Quimby comforts her. He promises Ramona that the Quimbys will always stick together and be strong, no matter what happens.
That Christmas, Beezus and Ramona are in their church's Christmas play. Beezus gets to be the Virgin Mary. Ramona decides that she and her friends, Howie and Davy, should be sheep. Unfortunately, her mom is too busy to sew a sheep costume. Ramona has to wear an old pair of pajamas, which she really dislikes. In the end, the sheep are the stars of the show! Ramona and her family share a wonderful night together.
Meet the Characters
- Beatrice "Beezus" Quimby – Ramona's older sister, who is in seventh grade.
- Mrs. Quimby – Ramona's mother, Dorothy.
- Mr. Quimby – Ramona's father, Robert.
- Howard "Howie" Kemp – Ramona's friend since the book Beezus and Ramona.
- Picky Picky – The Quimby family's old yellow cat, who is 11 years old.
- Mrs. Rogers – Ramona's second-grade teacher.
- David "Davy" – A boy Ramona tried to kiss in Ramona the Pest. She also tried to help him with schoolwork in Ramona the Brave.
- Mrs. Russo – Ramona's Sunday school teacher.
- Willa Jean – Howie's little sister, who has been in the books since Beezus and Ramona.
- Mrs. Kemp – Howie's mother, also seen since Beezus and Ramona.
- Mrs. Swink – An older lady whom Ramona and Beezus visit for Beezus's creative writing project. She gave Ramona the idea for making stilts out of tin cans.
- Margarine Boy – A boy Ramona's age who appears in a TV commercial.
Awards and Recognition
Ramona and Her Father received several awards and honors:
- Newbery Honor Book
- Land of Enchantment Book Award (from New Mexico)
- Texas Bluebonnet Award
- Nene Award (from Hawaii)
- Beehive Award (from Utah)
- IRA/CBC Children's Choice
Different Ways to Read the Book
You can enjoy Ramona and Her Father in many ways:
- Audio Formats: The story is available as a cassette, CD, and eAudiobook.
- Print Editions: The very first edition of the book had pictures by Alan Tiegreen. Newer versions have pictures by Tracy Dockray.
- Around the World: By 2010, this book had been published 121 times and translated into 11 different languages!
