Review by Booklist Review
Dale draws on her own naval-family experiences as Mommy and her children traverse the globe via car, plane, subway, foot, and more en route to Japan, where they welcome Mama back from her deployment. Buoyed by vibrant illustrations from Wiseman, readers will feel the characters' excitement and anticipation as they race across the world to meet Mama at her ship. Gorgeous endpapers are filled with educational illustrations of several "workers in uniform," which also challenge readers to seek and find these figures throughout the book. This book celebrates families of all types, starting with the LGBTQIA+ and mixed-race family depicted, and it reminds readers that although distance can be difficult at times, love is a powerful emotion that can help you endure any long journey to be reunited with those you cherish--and that oftentimes the journey can be filled with all sorts of wonderful adventures. An informative author's note shares more about naval-family traditions.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A young pigtailed protagonist hugs grandparents on a U.S. city street at the start of this step-by-step travelogue that gradually reveals the family's destination. As a taxi awaits, the child and infant sibling, both portrayed with light brown skin, and pale-skinned Mommy get "one last hug" before "Strap and click./ Airport, please./ Quick, quick, quick." Staccato phrases by Dale convey the trip's beats, taking readers through airport-related transit and queues, an overnight flight, and more until the three arrive in Japan and join a crowd to celebrate the arrival of a large docking ship--and brown-skinned Mama, a U.S. Navy sailor. In fine lines and saturated colors, Weisman's detailed digital illustrations portray a range of travelers and situations, plus helpful employees interacting with the family, creating a work with plenty for young travelers to seek and find. Background characters are portrayed with various abilities and skin tones. An author's note concludes. Ages 2--5. (Nov.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1--This cheerful picture book shows the youngest readers what it's like to travel long distances. The main character starts at Grandma and Grandpa's house with Mom and baby, saying goodbye and getting in a taxi. At the airport, there are lots of people and many things to notice, like the airport scanners, the ticket agents, and the bag handlers. Once on the plane, there are different things to do like drawing, eating, and sleeping. Clearing customs is demonstrated with lots of sleepy passengers, and then it's on to the next plane ride before finally meeting Mama at her military boat. The artwork is serenely and realistically rendered with details for children to point at and discuss. Many different kinds of families are shown throughout, and the family that is subsequently reunited has two moms. This is a great primer on facets of travel for children. The simple rhyming text and brightly colored illustrations comfortably introduce key vocabulary and jobs in transportation. VERDICT An excellent addition to those needing informational texts about travel for children.--Debbie Tanner
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
An engaging and heartwarming depiction of a military family's reunion. In a small U.S. city, a pale-skinned mom and brown-skinned child and infant in arms bid goodbye to "Pop-Pop" and "Gram" and climb into a yellow cab for the start of a long journey. They're going to be reunited with a U.S. Navy sailor in a new port; they eventually reach Japan after moving by mobile walkway, elevator, air-train, plane, and bus. Brisk two-beat alternately rhyming lines whisk readers along through the tedium of travel, though the many people portrayed are mostly smiling, and some are particularly helpful. Finally the big ship looms on the page horizon, and the family joyfully embraces their other mom, a Black sailor: "Now we're four / More to love." Readers can play seek-and-find to spot the dozen uniformed workers who interact with travelers and the various modes of transport depicted, including a wheelchair. Wiseman's vigorous but precise fine black outlines show a wide variety of skin colors, though most travelers wear bright, casual outfits. Distant, aerial perspectives include a viewpoint high above the fantastically colorful buildings lining city blocks. Repeat trips through the pages are guaranteed by the numerous details to pore over (though one crucial detail somehow escaped Wiseman's discerning eye: seat belts!). Armchair travelers, first-time fliers, and airport habitués will buckle up willingly for this vicarious voyage. (author's note)(Picture book. 2-5) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
