A mother-daughter road trip with feels aplenty.A rainstorm imperils Francie and her mother as they drive home in their little red car after visiting Grandma, anticipating the return of Francie's father who's been away for work. Race isn't named in the text, though the two are illustrated as light-skinned black people. Roads are perilous with heavy traffic, and then a big rig careens by, forcing them "up into the picnic area," where they wait out the storm. Background characters, named and specified in narration, separately endure the rain, while Francie and her mother eat a picnic in the car. Textual references to an unseen "Baby Sister" are clarified when Francie asks, "What will her name be, Mommy?" "Well, she's not quite with us yet," Mom responds, and Francie suggests names for her sister, still in utero. It's not until later at a gas station that Mom is struck with inspiration, though no one milling about in their own specific lives notices—not "Sam Miller feeding his dog fried chicken legs. Nor by Kate Calder losing her Sour Fruity Fizzes from a hole in her pocket." Mom hugs Francie and tells her the baby's name will be Grace. It's a name befitting the quiet solemnity of a story that highlights the everyday wonders of human experience, lovingly depicted in Graham's characteristically humorous, soft ink-and-watercolor illustrations. Amazing. (Picture book. 3-8)

Francie and her pregnant mom, driving home in the rain, pull off the highway to share a snack and conversation. What will the baby's name be? When will Daddy, "working far out to sea," be home? Graham's story builds to Francie's mother's realization that the baby's name is Grace. The story is told through an occasionally poetic text and watercolor illustrations that are both down-to-earth and transcendent.

A mother-daughter road trip with feels aplenty.A rainstorm imperils Francie and her mother as they drive home in their little red car after visiting Grandma, anticipating the return of Francie's father who's been away for work. Race isn't named in the text, though the two are illustrated as light-skinned black people. Roads are perilous with heavy traffic, and then a big rig careens by, forcing them "up into the picnic area," where they wait out the storm. Background characters, named and specified in narration, separately endure the rain, while Francie and her mother eat a picnic in the car. Textual references to an unseen "Baby Sister" are clarified when Francie asks, "What will her name be, Mommy?" "Well, she's not quite with us yet," Mom responds, and Francie suggests names for her sister, still in utero. It's not until later at a gas station that Mom is struck with inspiration, though no one milling about in their own specific lives notices—not "Sam Miller feeding his dog fried chicken legs. Nor by Kate Calder losing her Sour Fruity Fizzes from a hole in her pocket." Mom hugs Francie and tells her the baby's name will be Grace. It's a name befitting the quiet solemnity of a story that highlights the everyday wonders of human experience, lovingly depicted in Graham's characteristically humorous, soft ink-and-watercolor illustrations. Amazing. (Picture book. 3-8)

K-Gr 2Little Francie and her pregnant mom are making their way home from Grandma's house through an epic downpour. Stuck in traffic on the highway, they wind up at a picnic area and wait out the worst of the storm in their cozy red car. As they snack, they discuss what to call Francie's future baby sister, but nothing seems quite right. Resuming their journey, they drive to a gas station, where Francie's mom has an unexpected epiphany and decides that the new baby's name will be Grace. They share this joyful moment and are on their way again, the rain now over and "sun cover[ing] the countrysidefar off and away from Grandma's place to home and out across the sea." The recto shows mom and Francie happily reunited with Francie's dad. Interspersed throughout the story like jazz riffs are smaller observations of concurrent rain happenings. A field mouse hides from a kestrel, fishermen shiver by the canal, two men argue on the side of the road after an accident, all illustrated in Graham's signature ink and watercolor washes in gentle, muted colors. Graham works his magic yet again. VERDICT A lyrical and charming tale from an author who specializes in showing the extraordinary in the most ordinary, everyday moments. Perfect for one-on-one and small group sharing.Yelena Alekseyeva-Popova, formerly at Chappaqua Library, NY