Going Down Home with Daddy, illustrated by Daniel Minter, written by Kelly Starling Lyons

 10 Caldecott or Caldecott Honor winning books

9. Going Down Home with Daddy, 

illustrated by Daniel Minter,

 written by Kelly Starling Lyons (Peachtree)

About the Author:

"Kelly Starling Lyons began her journey to become a children's book author in her hometown of Pittsburgh. She learned the art of storytelling from her mom who took her to productions at a children's theater, wrote plays and made up bedtime tales. Her grandparents, who showed their imagination through cooking and gardening, taught her to honor the magic of history and home. Surrounded by creativity, Lyons began to write.

She curled up near the radiator behind her bedroom door and allowed her pen to take her to other worlds. A canopy of trees transformed into a make-believe fortress, backyards hid treasure and tunnels to faraway lands, bridges that crossed the Monongahela, Allegheny and Ohio rivers spanned distance and time.

Now a children's book author, her mission is to transform moments, memories and history into stories of discovery. Her books include chapter book, NEATE: Eddie's Ordeal; CCBC Choices-honored picture book One Million Men and Me; Ellen's Broom, a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award Book and Junior Library Guild and Bank Street Best selection; Tea Cakes for Tosh and Hope's Gift, Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People and One More Dino on the Floor, a Scholastic Reading Club pick. Her Jada Jones chapter book series has earned praise for celebrating an African-American girl who loves science, friends and family. The latest is Jada Jones: Sleepover Scientist. Forthcoming titles include: Jada Jones: Dancing Queen and Sing a Song: How Lift Every Voice and Sing Inspired Generations."

Find out more about Kelly at www.kellystarlinglyons.com.

Book Summary:

""On reunion morning, we rise before the sun. Daddy hums as he packs our car with suitcases and a cooler full of snacks. He says there’s nothing like going down home.”

Down home is Granny’s house. Down home is where Lil Alan and his parents and sister will join great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Down home is where Lil Alan will hear stories of the ancestors and visit the land that has meant so much to all of them. And down home is where all of the children will find their special way to pay tribute to family history. All the kids have to decide on what tribute to share, but what will Lil Alan do?

In this rich and moving celebration of history, culture, and ritual, Kelly Starling Lyons' eloquent text explores the power of family traditions. Stunning illustrations by Coretta Scott King Honor-winner Daniel Minter reveal the motion and connections in a large, multigenerational family."- Amazon.com

Reviews:

“Lyrical…a heartfelt story of family love, shared history, and connection to a place that binds everyone together.” ―Booklist

“Imagery is presented in marvelous metaphors… Minter's acrylic-wash prints soar… A warm, loving, necessary reminder of the power in families coming together.”―Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

Sources:

https://www.amazon.com/Going-Daddy-Kelly-Starling-Lyons/dp/1561459380/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Going+Down+Home+with+Daddy&qid=1605407619&sr=8-1