Forever and always

K-Gr 3--At first Thurman's book is ordinary. Even in the blocky, loving scenes created by Knight-Justice, readers see a "normal" family. The father leaves in the morning, and returns at night or works late, very late. Then there is a glimpse of his patch--he is an Emergency Medical Technician. And this is a Black family. The mother's anxiety, and that of the small Olivia, worrying along with her, conveys to readers the gut-punch of their lives. An author's note spells it out. George Floyd was a father. Trayvon Martin was a son. The family here prays and waits while trying to think well of the world, that all will be okay, when actually they have evidence that sometimes fathers leave and never return. The text has the somber, dulled pulse of a heartbeat, trained to stay steady. But readers are witnessing a war. This is a soldier who may not make it back from the front, just because of the color of his skin. It's hard to express how effective Thurman's restraint is. Feelings, worried looks, and palpable tension in the beautiful painterly illustrations are the only clues of the pain this family feels during every moment of separation until Daddy returns home, safe. This is a picture book that gives oxygen to all the unstated fears, perhaps burning them off. For children who have never experienced this fear, these small domestic scenes deliver a mighty big lesson in empathy. VERDICT So understated that it's sure to give flight to discussions, this book offers a reality right out of the headlines, but by leaving it child-sized has a huge impact. A necessary title.--Kimberly Olson Fakih

All day long, a young Black girl hopes her father will return from work. When Daddy, an EMT worker, gets home in the evening, he embraces Olivia, and his hugs feel like "one thousand I love yous." Their mornings are filled with affectionate warnings for Daddy to be safe and careful. Like many Black family members across the United States, Olivia and her mother are filled with fear every time Daddy leaves. As they watch news stories of other fathers who didn't make it home, time stretches on, creating an atmosphere of anxiety. Mother and daughter fill their days with distractions to make time go faster. After they eat breakfast, Momma styles Olivia's hair. They draw pictures together, and Olivia braids a bracelet. Finally, Daddy returns home once more. From cover to cover, this book feels like a love song, with sheet music woven throughout the background. The digitally created art has a collagelike feel; deft use of shadow and texture makes the images appear almost three-dimensional in places. Tender and intimate, this is a book that will soothe children enduring the same worries as Olivia. In the author's note, Thurman pays tribute to George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Trayvon Martin, and others who didn't make it home; she offers a list of five suggestions for those worried about the safety of their own loved ones. A balm for little ones grappling with harsh realities. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.