Knock Knock: My Dad’s Dream for Me by Daniel Beaty –NO

Beaty, Daniel  and Illustrated by Collier, Bryan Knock Knock: My Dad’s Dream for Me 40 pgs. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2013. $18.00  Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G. PICTURE BOOK

A young boy adores his father, but one day his father isn't there. So instead of explaining the situation, whatever it may be the boy simply thinks his father has vanished. Eventually the boy writes his father a note. One day he gets an inspiring reply to tell him to become his best.

The illustrations are stunning collage style of Brian Collier. As for the story, I love the idea that an absent parent still loves and misses their child. But this story portrays the absence as a mystery with a long period of no communication except a single letter at the end. (In this story the separation is due to Jail). The reality is that in this situation they could have had much contact through correspondence or even visits to the jail, instead of allowing the son to think that his father simply vanished.  I think the story would be confusing for young readers.

EL(K-3) –NO Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.