Daddy, Me, and the Magic Hour

PreS-Gr 1—A young boy and his dad enjoy a walk they call "Magic Hour" after supper each evening. They greet neighbors, watch the nightly parade of dogs with their owners, play games, and calm down after a tickling session and a ride on the swings in the playground. As night falls, they enjoy cricket sounds and catch-and-release fireflies. Finally, with the moon overhead, they head home where the boy tells mom about his adventures before she tucks him in to bed. The text, narrated by the boy, is appropriately childlike and greatly enriched by the large, colorful illustrations. They include full- and half-page images as well as panels, are thickly outlined in black, and provide a humorous glimpse into the daily life of this loving family. While mom tends to the baby, dad cooks supper. The boy, meanwhile, engages in such rambunctious activities as sending broccoli across the kitchen with the swipe of a spatula and putting a bib on the cat. While Dad must call him to the table for dinner rather forcefully, his playful engagement in the boy's high jinks is evidence of their warm relationship.