First Pink Light - Hardcover

PreSchool-Grade 1-- Tyree is determined to stay awake until his father, who's been away from home for a month, returns in the morning. He wants to hear `` . . . daddy's hard shoes on the steps, and hear his daddy's key clicking in the door.'' Mother finally tucks him in a chair to wait. Tyree does fall asleep, but it doesn't matter in the pleasure of his father's homecoming. Without sentimentality, and in flowing natural language, Greenfield shows the loving interaction of a young black child and his parents. Gentle watercolor illustrations enhance the feeling of a close family relationship. Tyree's emotions, from his stubborn refusal to go to bed to his fight to keep awake, are shown in his posture and on his face. The father is a handsome, smiling man set against a background of the warm ``first pink light'' of morning. First published in 1976 and illustrated by Moneta Barnett (Crowell; o.p.), the story has been given an updated look with full-color illustrations and a larger format. There is more emphasis on closeups of Tyree, and the faces of all three characters are more individualized and realistically expressive. This is a loving family story that will have strong appeal for a new generation of children. --Karen James, Louisville Free Public Library, KY
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Daddy's been away for a month, taking care of Grandma, and Tyree is so eager to see him that he wants to stay up, in his hiding place, to surprise Daddy when he comes. Mama, busy doing her homework, has a face-saving solution: he can sit in the big chair until he sees the morning's first light, then hide. A pillow and blanket help Ty drift off; realizing that Mama has ``won,'' he sleeps happily till Daddy comes and carries him to bed. The author and illustrator, both award winners (including the Coretta Scott King Award for their Nathaniel Talking, 1989), have fashioned an unusually warm family picture: a child secure in the love of both parents, while his mother creatively contrives to respect her child's independence without giving up her own responsible role. Greenfield's graceful text has an appealing natural cadence; in her attractive paintings, Gilchrist is especially adept at conveying character and feeling. A fine contribution. (Picture book. 3-8) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.