Papa Brings Me the World

PreS-Gr 1–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.