ONCE UPON A PICKUP TIME

In this German import, an imaginative kindergartner spins yarns to explain why he’s always the last to be picked up from school.

All the other children’s caregivers arrive to escort their little ones home while Ben, whose dad works late, is stuck waiting. The other parents show up with snacks, but Ben’s father never brings food, “because it’s always nearly dinner time when he arrives.” Ben tries to put on a brave face, but Dad’s lateness bothers him. Today, however, Ben has an idea. He explains that his father “rules over a huge kingdom full of treasure” and must protect it from snake-monsters and robbers. As Ben’s story unfolds over the next few days, the other kids and their grown-ups linger so they can hear about Ben’s brave, very busy dad. When the man of the hour finally arrives, everyone regards him with admiration, especially Ben. Ammersken’s illustrations depict Ben’s dad working in a grocery store, doing typical tasks like restocking shelves as well as more fantastical ones, such as fending off a carrot-stealing horse. The unlined images evoke a sense of wonder through ethereal lighting and chalklike sketches that flutter around the page representing elements from Ben’s active imagination. The message is undeniably sweet and likely to stir readers who, like Ben, have complicated emotions around a parent who works long hours. Ben and his father have pale skin; the other classmates and their caregivers vary in skin tone.

Inspired and soothing.