A Visit to the Big House - Hardcover

Despite a perhaps flip title, this sober work of bibliotherapy attempts to articulate the emotionally confusing experience of youngsters with a parent in prison. Nervous about visiting their incarcerated father for the first time, Willy and Rose bombard their mother with questions ("Is he going to have chains on his arms and legs?" Will he be wearing "those pajama things with big stripes?"). Butterworth ( The Enormous Egg ) takes pains to depict a functional family coping with a serious problem, and to eschew harmful stereotypes. In view of the subject matter, however, a fair amount of moralizing laces the text (which was originally published as a pamphlet for prison families in Connecticut), as evidenced by the drawing Willy makes after the visit--"He looks a little sad because he's not at home with us. But not too sad, because he's doing the right thing, and he's learned something." Avishai's ( Sophie and the Sidewalk Man ) skillful pencil illustrations reinforce the text's family-oriented message, depicting tender interplay among the characters. Though the specialized subject matter will limit the book's overall appeal, the designated audience will no doubt receive it with enthusiasm. Ages 7-10.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Kindergarten-Grade 3-- Rose, her younger brother, and their mother go to visit their father, who is in prison. Their mother explains that he "took something that didn't belong to him" and is making up for what he did (with a two-year prison sentence), but that he is not a bad person. The prison visit is realistically grim and sad, but the children are somewhat reassured that their father is being treated humanely and is still part of the family. This story was originally distributed by social service agencies in pamphlet form and it probably worked better as such. As a picture book, it lacks solid characterization, a strong plot, and competent art. Black-and-white charcoal illustrations are uninspired, and the subject matter will not appeal to a general audience. However, where there is a need for material on this topic, this volume is serviceable. --Jacqueline Rose, Southeast Regional Library, NC
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.