Days with Dad

Korean author-illustrator Hong debuts with an affecting autobiographical story about a girl’s relationship with her father, who uses a wheelchair. Narrative repetition establishes a gentle ebb and flow: at the park, beach, and elsewhere, the father apologizes that he cannot do certain things with his daughter, and she responds that she doesn’t mind. “Sweetie, I’m sorry I can’t go ice skating with you,” he tells her, as fathers skate with their children on the facing page. “Don’t worry, Dad,” she replies. “Ice fishing together is much more fun!” Hong shows them perched on stools, fishing through small holes in the ice, but the initial ice-skating scene speaks volumes about their relationship, too. The girl’s father may not be able to skate, but he can take her to the frozen pond, and he can lace up her skates. Hong’s soft, childlike colored-pencil drawings convey a strong intimacy on each page; somewhat oddly, the man’s wheelchair is only seen a few times. Disabilities bring limitations, Hong indicates, but not when it comes to a parent’s love or to time well spent. Ages 4–8. (Oct.)