Hold

Jackets donned and marching toward the front door, a father and child turn carrying an armload into a full-fledged activity in this picture book portrait of trying to make it out of the house. “Hold,” the encumbered adult says, handing over a patterned drinking cup. “Hold?” the child echoes before taking it. Now the youth wants to carry everything, in turn requesting Speedy the stuffed sloth, a spiny dinosaur toy, and Gato the family cat. An inset panel within one of the single-plane drawings captures Daddy with eyes closed, taking a beat, before handing over the feline. Once outside, the youth, arms fully burdened with a pile, quests to hold a plane flying overhead, a large truck, and a passerby’s infant. Something’s got to give—and realizing that hauling everything solo makes it impossible to do much else, the child opts, tossing the lot, to hold Daddy. “¿LISTO?” asks Dad. “¡LISTO!” the child replies, and off they go. Making an ebullient picture book debut, YA author Ribay (Patron Saints of Nothing) is well matched with Peña (Sundust), whose angular character designs and hand-lettered English and Spanish text give this relatable family story an indie comic sense of style. Characters cue as Latinx. Ages 3–7. Author’s agent: Beth Phelan, Gallt and Zacker Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Apr.)