One of the many reasons I love Bob Graham’s books is that, for all their simplicity, his observations of the natural world and family life are always profound and loving, and children, ‘reading’ the pictures, see the wonder of their ordinary lives illuminated for them. This story of a drive home in the buffeting rain on the freeway is no exception.

Francie and her Mum leave all the trucks and pull over into a rest area for a picnic in the car, where the windows steam up and Francie writes the family names on the windows. Daddy, Mummy, Francie, but who will the new baby sister be? There’s a blank rear window.

Later, they stop at a service station and while Francie is dancing in a little puddle and Mum is filling the car, a name comes to her. The perfect name in a timeless moment, to be shared with Dad later as they tumble in their front door.

That’s it. An unremarkable little tale. But filled with radiance.

Share it and pore over it with children aged 3 and up. It is quite special.

Kathy Kozlowski is a Children’s Book Specialist who has worked in kid’s books for over 40 years.