Describing the first week after his dad moves out, a white boy's thoughts revolve around his absent parent, from memories (how his father's hair looks red in the sun) to small moments (tuna fish for dinner, a meal his dad hates). The weekend brings a bus trip to a new apartment, which feels simultaneously like home, because his dad is there, and unlike home, because his mom is not. The two learn that their routines work just as well in a new setting, and by the following weekend the bus trip to the apartment begins to feel familiar. A comforting letter reassuring the child of his dad's unflagging love helps bridge the time between their weekends, and is based on a letter written to the author by her father. Narrative descriptions grounded in reality and a child's perspective are paired with distinctive, sometimes surreal, hand-inked and digitally-colored illustrations. (Ages 4-8)

A boy's parents separate on a Monday and on Friday he must adapt to a new reality. When his father picks him up for a weekend visit, nothing feels the same, but the two aim to establish a new normal -- eating breakfast, playing cards, spending time at the park. When the weekend comes to an end, they find it hard to say goodbye. The dad gives his son a letter to remind him that even though they're not together during the week, the boy is loved. This tender, hopeful story captures the poignant reality of a child who finds himself with two homes.

2021 USBBY Outstanding International Book.

The author and illustrator both live in Toronto, Canada.

Canada. Originally published in English by Groundwood Books in 2020. Published in the United States by Groundwood Books.

A little boy spends the weekend at his dad’s new apartment in this picture book about how things change when parents separate — and the important things that stay the same.

“This home is home because my dad is here, and it’s nothing like home because my mom isn’t here,” thinks the boy in this story when he enters his dad’s new apartment for the first time. His dad moved out on Monday and now it’s Friday night, the start of his weekend with his dad.

The boy and his dad follow their normal weekend routine — they eat eggs for breakfast, play cards and spend time at the park. And then they do the same things on Sunday. It is hard to say goodbye at the end of the weekend, but Dad gives his son a letter to remind him that, even if they can’t always be together, the boy is loved.

Naseem Hrab has written a poignant yet hopeful story, strikingly illustrated in Frank Viva’s signature style, about what happens when parents separate, and the new reality of having two homes.

Key Text Features
author’s note
writing inspiration

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.3
Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.