One More Time

Simon, a small boy, shares a wonderful Sunday afternoon with his father as they sail their boat in the park, enjoy a picnic and a storybook, and walk home, in a portrait of a young child of divorce

PreSchool-Grade 2 Unlike his Juju and the Pirate (Peter Bedrick, 1984) both in texture and content, Baum's One More Time shows the everyday life of a divorced father and his young son in delicate pastel hues. Between the silvery moonlit end pages, a delicately watercolored yet richly shaded panorama of scenes of father and son embellish the tender but dynamic relationship between Simon and his father. Following the two through a day, children share in the typical happenings of a young child's life. ``One more time,'' ``Are we almost there?'' and ``Who can see it first?'' are common phrases heard, while views of picnics, balloons, and storytelling are seen. As Simon and his father part at Simon's mother's house, ``See you soon'' reassures Simon and young readers of the continuity of love and times to be shared together. Warm emotions deftly portrayed overshadow the English ambiance created by the author and artist, both South African. The familiar love is universal and poignantly portrayed. Cathy Woodward, Lima City Schools, Ohio
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.