25. Visiting Day

I just recently read Jacqueline Woodson's The Other Side and loved it, so I picked this one up. Woodson again tackles some difficult subject matter in Visiting Day (2002) with illustrations by James E. Ransome. This book details a special day in the life of a little girl and her grandmother-- the day when they get to visit the girl's father in jail. From sunup to sundown, we see the pair getting ready, the bus ride, the happy time together, the sad ride home, and the thoughtful hopes for the future. Though the subject is sensitive, it is captured in a loving, hopeful way. Woodson's use of the child-like voice of the girl in her writing adds to the poignancy of the story.

"looking on jealous-like 'cause they wish they had a little girl of their own coming"

Blue is a prominent color in Ransome's artwork, from the endpapers to the backgrounds to the clothing. I see the blue as representing the freedom of being outside the prison walls. The little girl longs for her father to be out and come home so that she can give him all the love she has. Ransome's realistic, acrylic paintings are dominated by rich, warm colors that add to the emotional mood of the book. His large brush strokes and use of light on faces creates the sense of life and happiness in the midst of a sad situation. Ransome uses double page bleeds, usually integrated with Woodson's text, but sometimes his paintings stand alone. They are like the slow motion of a movie where the reader stops a moment and looks at the frozen scene. The one I loved the best was with the girl and her grandmother where the elder was doing the girl's hair. The relationship between them (as well as with the father) is tender. Even the background features rich details that create an entire story (i.e. the various photos on wall).

Even though the underlying theme of this story is a father in jail, the book does not vilify him or focus on what crime he committed. It portrays this family as full of unconditional love, understanding that the current situation will not always be the case. If you know any kids whose family members have been in jail, this would be a heartwarming story to share.