Common Sense Media Review
By Mandie Caroll
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Beautiful book about a very special family reunion.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In GOING DOWN HOME WITH DADDY, Lil' Alan, his sister, and parents rise before dawn to drive from the city to Great-Grandma Granny's farm, but he can't sleep in the car because he doesn't know what he's going to do for Granny to mark 75 years of living upon her land. When they arrive at the farm where his daddy grew up, Granny embraces him, his uncle teases him, he visits with his cousins, and goes on a tractor ride. He looks around at the farm, listens to his daddy's stories about the land and the family, eats "love-made dishes" of collards, mac and cheese, and okra, and ponders pictures (and the lives) of Granny and Pa as his momma remarks on how his eyes look like theirs. He thinks and he thinks and then -- finally --he knows what he'll do when it's his turn to speak.
Is It Any Good?
The story and illustrations in this beautiful, powerful tribute to family togetherness will enchant young and old alike. Going Down Home with Daddy tells several stories. Author Kelly Starling Lyons describes a family, its history, and the land that has allowed them to thrive. The story also sweeps across history, acknowledging the Native people who cared for the land before Africans were chained and brought to the continent, and the stain of segregationist Jim Crow laws.
Daniel Minter's gorgeous illustrations link this American family to Africa in its details: Patterns in clothing and animals reflect traditional textile designs, Granny's cowry shell earrings call to mind coastal Africa, and stamped on every page in the background are West African adinkra symbols. The farm staples of okra, watermelon, and cotton are drawn in white and overlay sumptuous reds, oranges, and yellows or vibrant greens and soothing blues. The last picture, featuring Granny's dress and her outstretched hand, may stay with readers the longest. Maybe she's feeding her chickens, or maybe she's offering readers her love like they are family, too. Either way, this book is a treasure for any family bookshelf.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Lil' Alan figures out what he will present to the family in Going Down Home with Daddy. What are some things Lil' Alan does to try to come up with his presentation? How does his family help him? What would you want your family to know at a family celebration like this?
What parts of American history come up in this story? What do you know about them already? What do you want to learn more about?
On each page, symbols are stamped in the background of the illustrations. What do these mean? (An adult can help you find out.) What do you think the tree on Granny's dress means?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Daniel Minter
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , History
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Peachtree Publishers
- Publication date : April 1, 2020
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 32
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback
- Awards : ALA Best and Notable Books , Caldecott Medal and Honors
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate