A young African American girl describes the one day a month when she and her grandma go to visit her daddy, who is in prison. Visiting Day has the feel of something special from the moment the girl awakens. She imagines her daddy getting ready to see her, and smells of fried chicken come from the kitchen, where her grandma is making food to share on the bus trip. But there are moments of sadness, too: a neighbor too poor to afford the bus fare stops by with gifts for her son; and the girl’s joy at an afternoon spent on her daddy’s lap is replaced by a missing-daddy feeling that begins on the trip back home. Jacqueline Woodson’s text is accompanied by James Ransome’s affecting illustrations, in which he captures a multitude of feelings and expressions that often speak as clearly as the author’s fine words. Both the author and the artist contributed personal notes to this story that will deepen its resonance for young readers and listeners, some of whom may choose to share some stories of their own. (Ages 5-9)

In this moving picture book from multi-award winning author Jacqueline Woodson, a young girl and her grandmother prepare for a very special day--the one day a month they get to visit the girl's father in prison. "Only on visiting day is there chicken frying in the kitchen at 6 a.m, and Grandma in her Sunday dress, humming soft and low." As the little girl and her grandmother get ready, her father, who adores her, is getting ready, too, and readers get to join the community of families who make the trip together, as well as the triumphant reunion between father and child, all told in Woodson's trademark lyrical style, and beautifully illusrtrated by James Ransome.