A Father's Presence

In Davis’ debut picture book, a boy with an emotionally absent father learns how to foster a loving family environment.

Curtis, a young Black child, would like to be closer to his dad. Curtis’ father spent little time with his own dad; as a result, he vowed to be there for his own son. Curtis’s father is physically present when not at work, but he’s emotionally distant and unable to express his feelings. As Curtis grows into a teenager, he learns from other men in his life (coaches, counselors, uncles) how to listen and relate. When Curtis marries and has a child of his own, he’s able to be both present and emotionally receptive. For Curtis’s son, a well-adjusted father-son dynamic becomes the norm. Davis tells this family story through matter-of-fact, sincere prose. Each page is quite text-heavy, and the life lesson seems aimed more at adults and adolescents than younger children. Nonetheless, the earnest delivery and striking presentation—featuring plain backdrops and foregrounded, emotional characters—will make the book accessible to a wide range of readers. Seif’s full-color illustrations evoke vintage children’s books and make clever use of light and shade to suggest mood and possibility. The positive change that Curtis’ family achieves over generations makes for a sober yet inspiring takeaway.

A bighearted book with sharp illustrations and an important message.