Picture Book Review
Unicycle Dad
Sarah Hovorka, author
Alicia Schwab, illustrator
Amicus Ink
https://amicuspublishing.us
9781681529028, $18.99, HC, 24pp
https://www.amazon.com/Unicycle-Dad-Sarah-Hovorka/dp/1681529025
Synopsis: Sarah knows her unicycle-riding dad is special -- even as Sarah cooks, takes care of her brother, and does homework on her own. When her dad finally graduates from high school, gets a second job, and eventually lands a promotion, Sarah realizes there's so much more that's special about him.
Critique: "Unicycle Dad" shares the inherent struggles and quiet joys of a single-parent, impoverished household. Raised by a single, teenage father in poverty, author Sarah Hovorka grew up in a family structure lived by many but seldom represented in children's books. Illustrator Alicia Schwab captures the story with warm, expressive art. Entertaining and thoroughly appropriate for children ages 5-9 on the subject of homelessness and poverty, "Unicycle Dad" is a very special and unreservedly recommended pick for family, elementary school, and community library picture book collections.
Editorial Note #1: Sarah Hovorka is a bookworm and self-proclaimed homebody. Exploring our world and the vastness of the human experience through books, she hopes to share a little of her world through her own writings. She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and has completed a certificate in creative writing from UC San Diego.
Editorial Note #2: Two bookworms raised Alicia Schwab in the Madison, Wisconsin, area working several jobs to support Alicia and her siblings. Alicia started making books when she was little and has gone on to illustrate books and publications in Germany and the USA, including "The Mukulkball", "Takoza", "Lite", and various magazines.