KEEPING THINGS GOING

Children are immensely proud of parents who work serving the public in many important ways.

A group of young children describe their parents’ jobs, stressing how they are crucial to a well-functioning community. There are police officers, teachers, foreign-aid volunteers, lifeguards, letter carriers, firefighters, school bus drivers, and more. Each parent worker is introduced in a brief rhyme on a double-page spread accompanied by an illustration depicting that parent in action. The text, in an abcb rhyme scheme, is descriptive, accessible, and pertinent. Tikkou’s bright illustrations are neatly integrated with the text, providing additional details about the jobs and the workers. The children, a multiracial group, are first seen on the title page with their backpacks on their way to school and then in the classroom for the introductory rhyme. The delivery is bright and uncomplicated. The police-officer parent “helps to keep the peace,” a loaded comment that may well fall flat with children whose community interactions with the police are far from peaceful. A companion work, Keeping Us Healthy, follows the same format, focusing on ambulance drivers, X-ray technicians, dentists, veterinarians, and other healers. The diversity is even more striking, with a “daddy” nurse and “mommy” doctor (both people of color) and a white pharmacist who uses a wheelchair. Parents and young readers will find much to discuss.

A cheery if superficial treatment of a common theme.