Visiting Day

by Jacqueline Woodson and James Ransome

A young African American girl describes the one day a month when she and her grandma... read more

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)

© Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2003

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