Warmth and connection are all that matter to a young boy (biracial) as he heads out to spend precious time on a school night with his father (Black), who doesn’t live with him. “We roll out in the icy twilight. Only old houses to witness us. Daddy’s eyes go deep. Bad stuff happens sometimes. Don’t matter what he did or didn’t do. Daddy just got hit hard.” While the boy doesn’t have the words yet to express his feelings, he finds comfort in being with his dad and passing the time building balsa wood planes. Though their evening time is brief, and more is left unsaid than spoken, the boy witnesses the many ways “Daddy always giving good” through his words and actions. While there is understated uncertainty regarding the father’s future, the boy is secure in his father’s love and proud of his role model.

STARRED REVIEW! "Boyd beautifully depicts a father-son relationship weathering the difficulty of parental separation."—Kirkus Reviews starred review

"As special as can be." —Kirkus Reviews starred review

"A father’s love keeps his son warm, inside and out.

It hasn’t been the same since Daddy moved out. When father and son spend time together now, it takes a little while for them to relax in each other’s company. But shared experiences and warm memories keep their bond strong, even when they’re apart. Tonight, they spend their visit working on a model plane. It’s quiet until the father recalls a moment from the previous summer that makes them both laugh. It’s just one of many ways Daddy always giving good.