Navigating Night

In a touching familial picture book from Leung (The Truth About Dragons) and Kang (Our Lake), a rainy evening sees a child considering two nighttime journeys—one past and one present. In a pre-GPS era, an unnamed narrator dutifully navigates their father’s takeout delivery route with a map spread out and pen in hand, transmitting directions to Baba in Cantonese and English as they make their way to customers’ homes bearing food from the family restaurant. A regular remarks “what a good kid” the protagonist is, but the child thinks that they’d rather be “a normal kid.” Ingeniously rendering the stormy drive, blue-hued spreads of gouache, crayon, pencil, and pastel illustrations capture the child’s emotions, including embarrassment when a peer stares curiously, and a moment of frustration: “I don’t want to go on deliveries anymore!” As the two travel, Baba, across contrasting red-hued spreads, tells of his own experience getting turned around in New York City after immigrating as a youth: “Before I had you, I would get so lost,” he says. The creators highlight a distinct bond and sacrifices made across generations, tenderly culminating in the idea, per back matter, that “even on the stormiest nights, we can all help each other find our way.” Creators’ notes conclude. Background characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Wendi Gu, Hannigan Getzler Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Anjali Singh, Ayesha Pande Literary. (Mar.)