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"'Love, The Fantom'" John Fitch IV Column
In this John Fitch IV column, Cormier shares a time when he saw a large, strong man and his very young daughter. The man said that the girl was his 'guardian.' Cormier considers that idea here - unpacking what it means to view your children as your…
"A Purple Lollipop In Hand" John Fitch IV Column
In this John Fitch IV column, Cormier talks about visiting various places with his daughter. Their divergent observations, preferences, and feelings about the stops - libraries, cemeteries, ponds, etc. - again reveal her innocence and his age. He…
"And So On -- Father Of The Bride" John Fitch IV Column
In this column, Cormier considers a bride and groom. He thinks about the bride and the child she was (and continues to be) in the eyes of her father. He reflects on the giving away of the bride as a culminating goodbye after many others: when the…
"As The Hour Nears" John Fitch IV Column
In this column, Cormier discusses the magic of Santa and the innocence of childhood. His daughter, seven going on eight, isn't sure if she believes in Santa any longer. But she writes to him just in case, and she tries her best to stay up late to…
"Ballerina, Turn Around" John Fitch IV Column
Here Cormier talks about his eight-year-old daughter. Much of the article consists of him offering various numbers that define her - her age, her weight, her height, etc. These numbers, this arithmetic terrifies him - for each day that proceeds she…
"Crazy About Horses" John Fitch IV Column
Here Cormier talks about his young daughter's recent interest in horses. First, he outlines some of her past interests - medicine, veterinary medicine, thoughts about becoming a jockey. Then, he shares her passion for horses and riding. He thinks…
"Her Caterpillar Summer" Parents magazine
This published version of "Her Caterpillar Summer", Cormier tells of the summer when his daughter turned six, of her caterpillar state. He talks of her awkward movements, her dwindling number of teeth, and her sudden fear of the water. Yet he sees…
"Her Caterpillar Summer" typescript
In the typescript of "Her Caterpillar Summer", Cormier tells of the summer when his daughter turned six, where she is still a caterpillar waiting to become a butterfly. He talks of her awkward movements, her dwindling number of teeth, and her sudden…
"Holding To What Is Magic" John Fitch IV Column
This John Fitch IV article is one of a few in which Cormier talks about magic and dad jokes. Here, as in other pieces, he links magic and the belief in magic to the innocence of childhood. When he teaches his daughter a trick, he is sad for the lost…
"In the Heat" in Sixteen Short Stories by Outstanding Writers for Young Adults
In this story, the narrator and his 15-year-old son Richy go to his wife's funeral. The narrator struggles to cope with his wife's death, especially unexpected reminders of her. While driving to and from the funeral, the narrator also recounts…
"Making Her Own Rainbow" John Fitch IV Column
In this column Cormier shares a sweet story about his daughter trying to make a rainbow using sunlight and water. He hopes that she will see a real rainbow one day. He closes with a story of three children and their father whose truck got stuck in…
"My Father's Gamble" The Sign
The young protagonist of this story witnesses the consequences of his father's alcoholism and poor money management skills for his entire family. The father takes out a loan to pay his debts in a time of uncertain employment. He loses the money,…
"One Could Do Worse Than Be a Househusband" St. Anthony's Messenger column, 1177 Main St. USA
In this column, Cormier describes his daily routine as a househusband. He writes at home, does the shopping, cooks dinner, get his daughter off of the bus, cleans house, and meets with friends and neighbors at lunch. He states that none of these…
"Robert Cormier London, July 2000" Achuka Special
In this piece, Cormier recounts the "excruciating" experience of being bullied but counterbalances this terror with his serene picture of family life. Featuring prominently are comments on his father's work in the comb factories, his Irish and French…
"Suddenly She's 10 Years Old" St. Anthony's Messenger column 1177 Main St. USA
This column recounts Cormier's daughter's transitional stage as a ten-year-old. Among the topics of discussion are her love of horses and her new-found preoccupation with getting the right haircut and crushing on television actors.