drove to Mama and Papa's work
downtown.
The big glass building always
looked angry. It seemed to say
"Stay out!" "Can't I just sleep in
the car?" Daniel asked.
But Mama and Papa said no. They
hurried inside and waved at Sam,
the security guard."
In a story based on the author's childhood, we meet Daniel and his parents. Most nights, as Daniel's parents prepared for their job as night janitors, Daniel got ready for bed. On this particular night, a phone call changes that. Auntie Clara is not available to take care of Daniel while his parents work. Daniel, tired and already in bed, must get up and accompany them to their work.
He begs to stay on his own. Not an option. Into the car they get, and head downtown to begin their night's work. Daniel offers to sleep in the car. Again, not an option. They wave to the security guard Sam as they enter the office building. Daniel is impatient as his parents get the things they will need to complete their work.
As they go, they tell Daniel a story about the Paper Kingdom.
"Didn't we tell you before? This is the land of the Paper King!
"The Paper King?" Now Daniel felt awake. "How come I
never saw him? Where is he?"
When they look for him in the throne room, all they see is the paper left behind. They suggest that he must be sleeping, and they will clean up for him. Daniel wonders why they have to do it. They whisper to him about the queen, who is responsible for paper being sent to everyone in the kingdom. As the story is shared and the cleaning done, Daniel is entertained and forgets he is tired.
Imagination reigns. Soon it is time for the family to return home for a good night's sleep ... Daniel to dream of a future where people clean up after themselves so Mama and Papa don't have to do it. Storytelling, humor and imagination wins out, just as it did for Helena Ku Rhee when she went to work with her parents.
Pascal Campion's digital artwork clearly depicts a hardworking family who find a way to keep their son entertained as they carefully clean every inch of the Paper Kingdom. Expressive and emotional, they show readers tight family bonds, as well as what happens at night in some buildings when most people are in bed.
No comments:
Post a Comment