Forever and Always

*Signed Bookplate* A young Black child waits for—and worries about—her father while he's away from home in this lyrical picture book from two breakout Black picture book creators. A sensitive, poignant portrayal of a family's worries, joys, and comforts to sit alongside books by Jacqueline Woodson and Christian Robinson. Every night when Daddy gets home from work, Olivia soaks him in a big hug and knows that the evening will be full of love—and fun. Together, she, Daddy, and Momma will make a feast for dinner, clean up, dance to old-school tunes, and read stories. But every morning when Daddy goes to work, Olivia worries, worries, worries. Be safe, she and Momma tell him. But what if he isn’t? Sometimes other people aren't, like the one on Momma's phone. Thud, thud, thud, goes Olivia’s heart, thump, thump, thump, all through the long day, until she hears the jangle of Daddy's keys, announcing he’s home. Brittany Thurman’s poetic text deftly explores the day-to-day life of a young Black