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Parents' Guide to

Ramona and Her Father

By Terreece Clarke, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

A timeless classic with the fab Ramona!

Book Beverly Cleary Family Life 1977
Ramona and Her Father Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 7+

Based on 3 parent reviews

pizana
pizana Adult
November 19, 2020
age 8+

It is an amazing book for kids! the vocabulary is just enough for kids to understand.

Adrianna R.
Adrianna R. Parent of baby, baby, 11, 18+, 3 and 3-year-old
August 13, 2016
age 7+

Not like Ramona...

I hate seeing book characters take the weight of the world on their shoulders. Ramona is not bright and cheery like usual, instead her whole world crumbles. It teaches kids a good lesson though. Ramona doesn't understand how work takes up her mother's time, and volunteers her mother to make her a sheep costume for a Christmas Play. Her mother doesn't sew an actual sheep costume, she just throws together what she can find. This does not please Miss Spoiled and she justs complains the whole time. Not Ramona Quimby. A different little girl with the same name.
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Ramona is all out of sorts when her father loses his job, her mom goes to work full time, and her sister Beezus becomes moody. She decides to make a million dollars, get her father to stop smoking, and cheer the family up, in her very Ramona way.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (5 ):

RAMONA AND HER FATHER is a great Beverly Cleary classic. The book is funny and heartwarming, and we feel for Ramona as she struggles with trying to make sense of what's going on and why everyone in the house is so unhappy.

Ramona's drive to get her father to stop smoking is classic Ramona. And there are definitely moments you can tell this lovingly rambunctious girl is learning some life lessons. Like many kids, she has to have things just so, and when her mom makes a sheep costume for a Christmas play that doesn't live up to her expectations, her turnaround from disappointment to acceptance is a great lesson presented in an endearing, hilarious way. Parents will love reading along with a classic they most likely read themselves.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how family situations can change, as well as smoking, health, and family unity. Why does Ramona want her father to stop smoking? Why does her father begin to act differently?

Book Details

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