The first week of MAY is designated to celebrate SMALL BUSINESSES, and that's a topic worthy of attention throughout the year. Many "small businesses" are larger than you'd think, but are designated as such because they are not massive, large-stock companies. They may or may not be family-owned, may employ dozens or even hundreds of folks, but they remain "small fish" in the big pond of our American economy. A great many "small businesses" are more micr-businesses, run entirely or nearly-so by family. Relatives keep things running, or others may be employed as needed or seasonally. These often operate on shoestring budgets and rely on local support to remain viable.
That description is especially typical of independent food service operations, from mobile food trucks to corner shops to multi-outlets in a single community. The demands on family members to make such a business succeed are incredible. We can try to imagine what those stresses might be if we take a moment to appreciate having their services available in our neighborhoods.
ANNE SCWARTZ BOOKS, 2026
NAVIGATING NIGHT, written by Julie Leung and illustrated by Angie Kang, is a recently released picture book that invites readers along for the ride as Baba (father) takes his daughter along for the end-of-night delivery from his Chinese restaurant. It is a dark and dreary night, and she is more than just a companion. In this pre-GPS story, daughter navigates using a physical map, providing directions throughout multiple deliveries. She wishes she could be home, watching television or playing games. She cringes when witnessing the verbal assaults on her father or lack of tips if the delivery isn't prompt enough.
Their time together, though, is priceless. Baba uses their drive to reveal his own challenges while in China, during times of fear and hunger. As they struggle to find delivery routes to new addresses, Baba describes his solo journey to this country. He was chosen as the one to use a single ticket, designated as the source of support for his family there and also the family he would build in a new world. Tender text references the hardships of isolation, lacking local language, and seeking ways to survive for himself and secure the future of his families.
Baba's story is dark and intense but dealt with gently, as are the colors of the soft-edged illustrations. As they nearly complete the deliveries, Baba reminds daughter that he would be "lost" without her. The tone-shift to a steaming meal at the warmly lit family table in the restaurant shines through with love and appreciation. That goes both ways, as Baba makes daughter feel valued and daughter (the narrator) sees her own routines and her family life in new light.
The author note reveals that the story reflects her childhood memories, sharing a sense of the cross-generational sacrifices within immigrant families. Children become translators, navigators, and advocates. I highly recommend reading aloud this author note and the illustrator's note after sharing the book. The story is stacked with potential for young listeners to share their own experiences of family responsibilities and heritage. The storytelling and illustration also offer mentor text and images for young writers to find "small moments" from their own lives with family and caregivers that can reveal layers of values and caring. CANDLEWICK, 2025
This lovely family story invites returns from readers in the same way that a favorite family restaurant calls us back again and again. If you are interested in another recent book about parent jobs at night, check out NIGHT JOB, written by Karen Hesse and illustrated by G. Brian Karas. In this one the dad is the night shift custodian in a school, which should intrigue many a student!
