  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 03/01/2010 K-Gr 2— This story addresses the difficulties associated with a parent's absence. Jerome tells how much he and his dog miss his mother when her job as a sailor takes her away from home, even though his dad takes good care of him. Sometimes he is happy. At other times, though, Jerome and Duffy are afraid, act out at school, or have accidents. Bedwetting is handled in a calm manner. Dad says, "That's okay, Jerome. That's why God invented washing machines and bathtubs." Jerome worries about himself and Duffy, who acts as something of a surrogate for Jerome's own experiences. The text is positive about Dad, but the watercolor illustrations oddly distance him. He is rarely shown with Jerome and never with the whole family. The focus is on Jerome, Duffy, and Mom almost exclusively. The pictures reflect the sentimental tone by showing everything as clean, pretty, and sunny. Even the difficult times do not appear very threatening. In a storm scene Jerome is asleep; when he gets in trouble at school, the picture is of him sitting in the principal's office rather than the fight itself. The story ends with Jerome anticipating rather than experiencing his mother's homecoming. By not having a tidy conclusion, the author leaves the story a bit open and more relatable for children who are also still waiting for the return of a loved one.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA - Copyright 2010 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 04/01/2010 Jerome’s mother is a sailor. When her ship is in home port, she comes home at night, but when it goes out to sea, she hugs him good-bye and asks him to be brave. Jerome doesn’t feel brave. Though some things are good, others (bedwetting, a skirmish at school) are hard. Still, Jerome’s dog, his father, and his teacher help him to cope with his fears and keep his problems in perspective. As the story ends, Jerome sees that even though he feels “a little bit afraid the whole time,” he is being brave, and he looks forward to telling his mother so when she comes home. Written in short, simple words that read aloud well, the believably childlike narrative tells of Jerome’s pleasures, frustrations, and worries. The realistic watercolor illustrations express nuances of emotion through body language and facial expressions. Creating a vivid and ultimately moving portrayal of Jerome’s life while his mother is away, this picture book is sure to resonate strongly with children whose parents are on active duty in the military and with many other readers as well. - Copyright 2010 Booklist. Loading...
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