Published: June 21, 2009
When Papa Comes Home Tonight
by Eileen Spinelli (Author) and David McPhail (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 1- 5
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing (April 28, 2009)
What to expect: Father and child, Rhyme, Bedtime
The smooth rhyming narration which tells the story of a papa’s promises to his child, make this the perfect gift for any dad. So, no surprises that this review falls on Father’s Day! When Papa Comes Home Tonight is Eileen Spinelli’s beautiful sequel to When Mama Comes Home Tonight. Having a parent who works late regularly is a pretty common household occurrence; Spinelli helps relieve the anxiety that this can cause by highlighting all of the wonderful moments that can be shared when Papa does come home. It’s a very gentle narration that makes for a very soothing story time. The illustrations, which are rendered in watercolor paint, pencil, and pen and ink, are warm and inviting for little eyes. A beautiful book.
Publisher’s synopsis:
“When Papa comes home tonight, dear child,
(I promise – not too late)
you’ll hear me whistling up the road.
You’ll meet me at the gate.”
It can be hard waiting for Papa to come home, but it’ll be worth it because you’ll both have so much fun when he does! From singing songs and making dinner to playing all the way until bedtime, just hanging with Papa is one of the most joyous ways to end the day.
Eileen Spinelli’s highly anticipated follow-up to the bestselling When Mama Comes Home Tonight, complete with gorgeous illustrations from David McPhail, is a soothing celebrtion of simple moments shared between parent and child.
About the Author: Eileen Spinelli is no stranger to the Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers list. Since her debut in 1991 with Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch,
an IRA/CBC Children’s Choice book and Christopher Award winner, she has gone on to author numerous picture books, poetry collections, and chapter books, including the best-selling When Mama Comes Home Tonight, and the critically acclaimed Sophie’s Masterpiece. Eileen lives in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
Add this book to your collection: When Papa Comes Home Tonight
You may also like: Up! by Kristine O’Connell George.
