(PS My local library has not reopened yet, but I was able to access the book through Hoopla, a service provided by my library. If you haven’t read GOING DOWN HOME WITH DADDY yet, I hope you get your hands on a copy soon! Earthy imagery and Adinkra symbols help tell a story of intergenerational love and ancestral memory.” Down home is where Lil’ Alan and his parents and sister will join great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. This ended up feeding into a subplot in Daddy’s Home 2 with Cena in a supporting role. He says there’s nothing like going down home. The first Daddy’s Home movie ended on a sequel setup as the biological father of Dusty’s stepdaughter the bigger, meaner, tougher Roger, played by Cena arrived to challenge his authority. Down home is where Lil Alan and his parents and sister will gather with great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Daddy hums as he packs our car with suitcases and a cooler full of snacks. He says there’s nothing like going down home.

So here’s the description from ALA’s website – “… a warm, rich color palette, every spread has multiple, complex layers. Daddy hums as he packs our car with suitcases and a cooler full of snacks. It’s hard to find words to adequately describe the vibrant, powerful illustrations by Daniel Minter. There they enjoy precious time with relatives, hear stories of their ancestors, and visit the land that means so much to them all. This warm, heartfelt story shares a special trip in which Lil Alan, his parents, and sister are going down home–to Granny’s house. Daddy hums as he packs our car with suitcases and a cooler full of snacks. On reunion morning, we rise before the sun. What as outstanding collection this year! Today I’d like to highlight one of the gorgeous Honor Books: GOING DOWN HOME WITH DADDY by Kelly Starling Lyons, illustrated by Daniel Minter (and published by one of my favorite houses, Peachtree Publishing.) Set at one young boy’s annual family reunion, this Caldecott Honor-winning picture book is a rich and moving celebration of Black history, culture, and the power of family traditions. You’ve probably enjoyed many of the 2020 Caldecott winning books by now.

Going down home with daddy