"HOLD, PLEASE.
"HOLD?"
HOLD."
What a concept! I will be forever amazed at the ideas talented writers think to share with readers. The game that happens between father and toddler in this very funny book is not the first time that such a thing has happened. Randy Ribay makes it feel absolutely original, and therefore captivating.
The two are obviously preparing to go somewhere: both are wearing coats and shoes; the father is readying a backpack; the child is shadow-watching. A water bottle lies on the floor nearby. The backpack flap flies open spilling needed items on the floor. The father hands the bottle over with a HOLD, PLEASE request. The child does so, adding a further request to hold a stuffed sloth, appropriately named Speedy. Clearly a touch exasperated, the dad agrees while also dealing with other items. Next up is Dino, and so it goes until a leery cat is added to the pile. You can hear the giggles, can't you?
Once outside the requests continue ... a tree, rain, a plane flying high above them. There are even more. Back into the house they go where Dad finds a plane, a truck and a baby to be held tightly. Overwhelmed, the child can no longer control the ever-growing tower. Dad resets the tower and asks about readiness to leave. The heartwarming answer is to throw it all aside with a singular wish to hold Daddy! Only now are the two ready for their adventure together.
Zeke Pena's mixed-media artwork is a perfect match for the charm that shines in the eyes of the characters. Attention is fully focused on the two as they negotiate getting out the door, with or without a menagerie of companions. The colors are bold, the expressions telling, and the joy shared make for a lasting memory and a very happy ending.
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