• Age: 4 to 7
• Grade: p to 2
• Reading age: 4 to 7

A beautiful picture book exploring how to cope with difficult and complex emotions when we’re away from the people we love.

Spending time with her dad makes Mandeep’s days shine. They have cha parties, perform Bhangra shows, and best of all, they write jokes together in her favorite unicorn journal. But when Dad starts a job as a truck driver, he starts being away from home most of the week. Without Dad, storm clouds start taking over Mandeep’s sunny days, casting a shadow on all the things she used to love doing. Can anything help Mandeep feel better?

The dynamic author-illustrator team behind the National Council Teachers of English Notable Children’s Book winner My Name Is Saajin Singh brings a new poignant story about father-daughter relationships, how we cope with being separated from our loved ones, and how to find glimpses of light in our days even when clouds threaten to settle in.

KULJINDER KAUR BRAR is passionate about diverse representation in books and education. She is currently an elementary school teacher in Abbotsford, British Columbia. Her debut picture book was an NCTE Children’s Book List winner, a CCBC Best Books starred selection, short-listed for the Next Generation Indie Book Award, and received a Purple Dragonfly Book Award commendation. Spending time with her family and friends, nature walks, and anything milk chocolate brightens up her day.

Kuljinder Kaur Brar's profile page

SAMRATH KAUR is a queer, American-born Punjabi illustrator currently based in Boston, MA, USA. This is his second picture book collaboration with Kuljinder Kaur Brar.

Samrath Kaur's profile page

• Nominated, Blue Spruce Award

“The author deftly portrays the signs of childhood depression, making space for the protagonist’s negative feelings.”

Kirkus Reviews, 08/14/24