Papa Brings Me the World

Unlike most parents who "drive a car or ride a bus or train to work," Lu's father is a photojournalist who travels the world, frequently leaving the little girl with her mother and baby sibling. Though the child delights in receiving souvenirs from all over the globe, her heartfelt longing for her father permeates the story, which draws from the author's own childhood experiences. "I love treasures, but I'd rather have Papa," Lu wistfully says. Despite the undercurrent of sadness, she maintains a connection to her father by sneaking notes into his luggage, poring over his travel journals, and cherishing the times when her father returns with exciting stories, all the while imagining a time she, too, will travel the world. Eventually, her dream comes true when her papa takes her to visit Australia. Kostecki-Shaw's mixed-media—acrylics, watercolors, salt, pencil, rubber stamps, collage—illustrations have a richness of texture, pattern, and color wonderfully suited to depicting the dazzling array of multicultural mementos, as well as conveying the touching bond between Lu and her parents. An author's note, map, and suggestion for a treasure game are included in the back pages. VERDICT The author's look back never falters in conveying a child's perspective, in a cozy and loving tale that includes an important message of global connection.—Yelena Voysey, formerly at Pickering Educational Lib., Boston Univ.

"Born to explore," Lu's photojournalist father "navigates mountains, deserts, and oceans," creating "windows into magical worlds." When he returns from a trip, he brings coins ("the ones with holes are my favorites"), other objects ("a driftwood dragon"), and stories from various destinations. Though his daughter treasures it all--textural mixed-media collage by Kostecki-Shaw reveals a full spread of the items--and understands that coming and going is her father's job, she yearns to travel with him. "Until then," he says, "I'll bring the world to you." Through pages that tell of trips to Cameroon, China, Mali, Mexico, Sumatra, and Zimbabwe, among other places, the creator conveys the idea that there are many ways to be in the world; she also imagines one way that parents can offer glimpses of its bounty as an introduction to broader experience. Ages 3-6. (May)