YOUR DAD WAS JUST LIKE YOU

Peter takes his problem to Grandpa: Dad ``never smiles—he only yells.'' As the two stroll around the neighborhood where Dad also grew up, Grandpa recalls his son's childhood—a lively boy like Peter, he too had trouble in school and quarreled with his father until the day Grandpa made him a special ``trophy'' for a canceled race the boy had counted on winning—and had run, alone, in a downpour. Accidentally breaking this trophy has caused Dad's latest outburst; understanding its significance causes Peter to make his own first conciliatory gesture. Johnson (What Kind of Babysitter Is This?) doesn't burden readers with the reasons these men grew up angry, but drops enough hints to give her story depth. Warm and realistic, with gently understated illustrations that bring out the poignancy of these good, loving African Americans trying to escape hurtful patterns. (Picture book. 5-9)