Overview
It's Memorial Day and Marco and Mama are going to see the parade. On their way, they pass Marco's grandfather's house. They usually stop to see Grandfather, but today Mama is in a rush because she has promised Marco a surprise. Marco can't imagine what the surprise might be. Could it be the marching band? The fire engines? The candy tossed to the crowd by a woman dressed as the Statue of Liberty? Mama promises that it will be a better surprise than candy. As the parade goes by, Marco wishes his grandfather were with him to enjoy it. Then, marching down the street, come the veterans, wearing uniforms and shiny medals. But look! Who is that leading them? Marco never imagined the kind of surprise in store for him.
Theresa Martin Golding is the author of the novels Kat's Surrender and The Secret Within. She lives in New Hope, Pennsylvania.
Alexandra Artigas, a native of Spain, is a free-lance illustrator working in advertising and publishing. She lives in Costa Mesa, California.
Synopsis
It's Memorial Day and Marco and Mama are going to see the parade. On their way, they pass Marco's grandfather's house. They usually stop to see Grandfather, but today Mama is in a rush because she has promised Marco a surprise. Marco can't imagine what the surprise might be. Could it be the marching band? The fire engines? The candy tossed to the crowd by a woman dressed as the Statue of Liberty? Mama promises that it will be a better surprise than candy. As the parade goes by, Marco wishes his grandfather were with him to enjoy it. Then, marching down the street, come the veterans, wearing uniforms and shiny medals. But look! Who is that leading them? Marco never imagined the kind of surprise in store for him.Editorials
Children's Literature
Marco and his mother are heading off to see the Memorial Day parade. They are in such a rush that they do not even stop to see Marco's grandfather, which he thought was most unusual. Mama has told him that there will be a really big surprise for him. As they get to the street and Marco sees his best friend, he asks if that is the surprise, but it isn't. Is it the bands playing or meeting a real firefighter or the candy that was throw at the crowd? No, none of these things are the really big surprise. Suddenly the crowd starts to clap and Marco sees the men and women in uniform marching down the street. Up at the head of the group in his wheelchair was Marco's grandfather in his army uniform and with medals across his chest. Marco is thrilled and shares the candy he saved with his wonderful grandfather. This is a book that brings the meaning of Memorial Day to a level that kids can understand without getting into the issues relating to wars and their causes. 2004, Boyds Mills Press, Ages 3 to 8.—Marilyn Courtot