Night Job written by Karen Hesse, Illustrated by G.Brian Karas

Karen Hesse’s newest picture book, Night Job, reflects a sturdy relationship between parent and child.  But Hesse moves beyond the beautiful father/son bond in her appreciation/celebration of what is considered menial work – that of a nighttime janitor . 

The story begins on the page before the title page where  Illustrator G. Brian Karas shows the living situation of the small family: a motel in an industrial area, a room off its balcony, two cars parked in the lot, and in the middle a motorcycle, the family’s transportation.  Within this meager space, an intense love exists.

Every Friday night, from dusk to 4 AM, the father cleans a school building – pushing his broom around the gym…”shoosh,” “scrubbing” the cafeteria, “polishing“ the library, “sweeping the school from stem to stern,” the son always close by and helping at times.  Both father and son feel satisfaction in a job well done.

Karen Hesse’s language, as always, is achingly beautiful.  

Most gratifying, however, is that she offers respect.