his pockets are treasure troves
of silver and gold!
I have coins from twenty-
eight countries - the ones
with holes are my favorites.
"Papa, I'm saving up for
a ticket around the world!"
Lu's dad is a photojournalist whose life is spent travelling the world. Whenever he leaves, Lu puts little notes in his pockets to let him know how much she loves and misses him when he is gone. His trips are a constant source of treasure for his little one. Each country he visits offers special memories for him to share with Lu.
Besides the many different coins he brings, he also gifts her with an ancient calculator, a game, a thumb piano, and more. Lu lives a life of adventure by checking his journal and imagining herself in those places he artfully describes.
"Mama and I cover the wall with a giant map of the world to
keep track of Papa. She asks me where I want to explore.
"Everywhere!" I shout, stretching
my arms across the oceans."
Lulu wants to be like her dad. Every time he comes home, she expresses her desire to travel with him and to see the many wonders that he sees. Because she is so young, she must accept that her papa will bring the world he visits to her. And maybe someday ...
One day, he brings a very special a gift. It is a book, and it has nothing in it. Papa knows it's time for Lu to use her new journal to keep track of her own travels. Someday is here!
Lu's voice is clear, and full of longing. She understands his need to be away, and is delighted to hear the stories he has to tell, and to enjoy the conversations they have when he returns. Though she is thankful for the treasures he brings, it is evident she prefers Papa's company more than anything else.
The brilliant collages and mixed media artwork are filled with wonder and bold colors, indicative of the places in the world Papa works. At times, they fill whole pages; at others, they illustrate small, personal moments. They are layered, full of texture, and detail that will keep readers occupied for the many times the book will be read together. In the final pages, readers have a chance to see some of Lu's own personal adventures by catching a glimpse at her journal entries. Lovely way to end this family story.
In back matter, an author's note explains that the story is autobiographical. Her father, too, brought gifts for Jenny Sue and the rest of the family. The real treasure was in the stories told, and experiences explained. The dream of a lifetime came true when they were finally able to make a journey together. Photos, journal entries, and a world map showing where the treasures originated are there as well. The final page describes the treasure game and provides a personal example for how to play it.
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