A DAY WITH DAD

As he waits on the platform for the train to arrive, Tim looks forward to spending a whole day alone with Dad. With a big hug and high lift in the air, Dad allows Tim to plan their special time together, eating hot dogs, seeing a new cartoon movie, laughing over pizza, snuggling for a story in the library and finding enough time to enjoy a final sweet pastry snack before rushing to meet the last evening train. Mom’s assurance that son and father will spend time together again soon counteracts the image of a diminishing train as it pulls further away from the station. Eriksson’s pastel/crayon drawings in subdued colors bring to the page Tim’s emotions, which range from expectancy to joy to eagerness to uncertainty and finally to acquiescence as he recognizes a situation beyond his control. Children with similar experiences will appreciate this gentle support as they cope with the realities of divorce; the unmistakable love between child and parent is palpable. (Picture book. 4-6)