HURRY, KATE, OR YOU'LL BE LATE!

Some things are worth the wait.

Oh no! Kate is late for preschool! But why? No, it’s not because she requested chocolate milk at breakfast. It’s not because she and Daddy—both Black—stopped to greet neighbors or because she waved to the garbage trucks, the ambulance, and the cars. Using simple, repetitive prose, Harrington chronicles a variety of activities—buckling a child into a stroller, waiting for the bus—that will be familiar to parents and little ones making the daily trip to school. Periodically stating, “Kate was late for preschool,” the author discusses all the things the two did, all of which have nothing to do with Kate being late, before finally explaining her tardiness—Daddy pauses right before she goes in to give her a warm hug. This tale of a doting father taking his child to school is brightly illustrated in primary colors that pop off the page. Daddy’s affection for Kate comes through clearly, from a scene of him brushing her hair to a moment where he stoops to adjust her backpack and tie her shoe. Small book lovers are sure to respond to the joyful imagery as well as the lyrical bounce of the language. Daddy and Kate’s community is a diverse one. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A tender snapshot of a loving daddy-daughter bond.