FORMER Catholic College Sale student Jacqueline Dinan has co-written a book designed to offer comfort and understanding for children with incarcerated parents.
Ms Dinan and former AFL player Andrew Krakouer have collaborated with illustrator Paul Seden to create My Dad’s Gone Away.
My Dad’s Gone Away is the first children’s picture book of its kind in Australia — bravely addressing the often-taboo topic of parental incarceration.
Despite the fact that two-in-five prisoners have one or more dependent children, there has been a notable lack of resources available for young readers grappling with this reality.
Mr Krakouer, who experienced the incarceration of his own father and later served time himself, reflected on the book’s significance.
“The simple and visually relatable story of My Dad’s Gone Away would have been an invaluable resource for my family during my father’s imprisonment and later, for my own children and partner during my own time in prison,” he said.
“This book is decades overdue.”
Mr Krakouer was 13 when his father, a pioneering footballer, was sentenced to eight years in prison.
As a distinguished footballer, Mr Krakouer achieved numerous accolades and played in an AFL grand final team before his career was interrupted in 2008 by his own incarceration. At the time, his daughters were nine and seven. Andrew’s partner, Barbara Garlett, was also a primary-aged child when her father was imprisoned.
My Dad’s Gone Away is crafted to spark important conversations between children and trusted adults, and also to build empathy for children with other lived experiences. It provides a gentle way for children to process their feelings of missing an incarcerated parent, while also navigating the stigma and social marginalisation that can come with it.
The book offers a supportive framework for understanding these complex emotions.
Ms Dinan emphasised the book’s potential impact.
“As a former foster carer, I believe this book will help children find their voice and express their concerns to family members, carers, caseworkers, teachers, coaches, friends, counsellors, or medical professionals,” she said.
“This dialogue can help validate and address their feelings.”
The book follows Tarah, a primary-aged girl, and highlights the importance of communication and resilience. While the subject matter can be sad, the book gently takes readers along the journey with Tarah, including her making new friendships and finding support in nature with her dog.
Beautifully illustrated by Mr Seden, the book’s use of colour and black and white enhances the reader experience, focusing the story on Tarah’s feelings and experiences.
“Being in the justice system is a reality for many individuals and families in Australia today,” Magabala publisher Rachel Bin Salleh said.
“This truth is rarely talked about outside of these circles. How do you begin a conversation with a child of an incarcerated parent, without the legacy of shame that children inherit?
“My Dad’s Gone Away is a story for children as well as adults. It is a compassionate resource that will guide adults who don’t know where to start and children who don’t know how to feel.
“Andrew’s brave decision to share his experiences, Jacqueline’s patience for storytelling and Paul’s incredible and sensitive images will ensure children and families won’t feel so lost and alone during some of the toughest moments of their lives.”
