The Playdate

A young girl is excited to visit her friend Henry, traveling across town with her mother by bus and subway. At Henry’s house, the children play together while the girl’s mother carries a vacuum upstairs. The story’s text centers on the child’s anticipation and play, while its illustrations reveal that her mother is working as a house cleaner. Details in Henry’s home, including large art and a busy family calendar, contrast with the girl and her mother eating packed sandwiches separately from Henry’s family meal.