Moore and Denmon shine a powerful spotlight on a difficult topic, treading carefully and offering understanding and hope for families of veterans and other traumatized adults. Depicting self-care, wellness, and healthy, supportive relationships in the context of a loving Black family facing a serious challenge, this story makes a transformative contribution to the world of picture books. Denmon’s muted palette, with contrasting yellow and blue tones, effectively denotes happy and gloomy emotions and times, strengthening readers’ comprehension of the characters’ evolution. . . . Necessary and memorable.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
A sensitive, accessible approach to trauma and the mind-body relationship.
—Booklist (starred review)
Denmon’s digital illustrations juxtapose somber blues for difficult moments and golden tones for both the Black family’s warm memories and Daddy’s arc toward feeling “way better.” In conversational text that spotlights one family’s experience, Moore addresses an important but conceptual topic in a developmentally appropriate way.
—Publishers Weekly
This picture book addresses the difficult topic of how veterans can reconnect with their families after their service. . . . The message of self-care and supportive family relationships amid a serious family crisis will provide hope for other families with a beloved member altered by war.
—School Library Journal
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