Papa’s Home

Parting from a parent is hard, even when it happens with notice. In this reassuring story, Soman (the Ladybug Girl series) presents an adult bear who handles his cub’s separation anxiety with practiced calm. “Papa? Are you still going away tomorrow?” the cub asks. “I am,” Papa says, “but I’ll be back before you know it.” “And Aunt Jessie will be with me?” “The whole time,” says Papa, helping the cub get dressed for a day out. Papa stays unruffled throughout his child’s many queries, never growing frustrated (when the cub threatens to run away if Aunt Jessie insists that they wear an old pair of boots, Papa murmurs, “In those boots?”), reminding the cub of positive past experiences with Aunt Jessie (“She gave you baths when you were very little”), and exchanging a litany of assurances before bed (“Will you miss me?” “So, so much!”). The separation itself is conveyed without words, in small vignettes showing that Aunt Jessie’s caregiving time passes quickly before Papa returns, just as he said he would. Sometimes loved ones can’t be together: Papa has faith that all will be well, and meets his child’s anxiety with dependability and love. Ages 3–6. Agent: Doug Stewart, Sterling Lord Literistic. (May)