Night Driving

One of my favorite things about visiting a library with a young child, is that you never know what books you might come home with. We are very fortunate to live within walking distance of an excellent public library. Upon entering the Children's section, my son has the habit of walking up to random shelves, and choosing the first few books he reaches. Many of the books he picks are bestsellers based on licensed educational characters that dominate the televisions, computers, lunch boxes, toys, yogurt containers and diapers of America's children (Yes Dora  I'm talking about you.)
However, every now and then my son's random selections lead us to great books that we might otherwise have never discovered.


Night Driving written by John Coy and illustrated by Peter McCoy is one of the more recent books I have stumbled across. I will admit that I am personally biased towards any book that can illustrate a normal healthy father son relationship. I also have fond memories of "night driving" with my father and brothers on camping and fishing expeditions. Night Driving is the story of a young boy and his father as they drive through the night to camp in the mountains. The 1950s feel of rural American highways is expertly captured in black and white sketches by Peter McCarty.  Night Driving is the rare children's book that captures interest by being reflective and calm. There are no sword fights, or daring escapes. Just a flat tire, the game on the radio, and as my son noted, "A little boy in the front with no car seat!"