Pascal Campion

Daniel's parents are night janitors; usually, his Aunt Clara comes to stay with the sleeping Daniel while his parents work, but one night, she can't, so he has to go with them. As they clean a large office building, they do their best to make it fun, inventing an imagined realm called the Paper Kingdom, home to the Paper King and Queen and many "small and friendly" (and messy) dragons. When Daniel asks, "Why are dragons so messy?" Mama replies, "Maybe they ate in a rush and forgot to clean show more up. They don't mean to be naughty." Daniel still feels it's unfair that his parents have to clean up after others, so his Papa says, "Someday you'll have to be king! Then you can...tell the dragons to be nice and neat." The final page shows Daniel tucked into his bed, asleep.

Author's note
"My parents used their humor and imagination to make an unpleasant situation seem full of possibility and magic. I wrote The Paper Kingdom for them, and for all hardworking families."

*

Re-read March 2021 show less

In addition to being beautifully illustrated and begging to open a child's imagination, this book also addresses a reality that is true for many children in America. While it's a reality we wished wasn't happening, a book like this can be quite reassuring to a child who finds himself/herself in it. Definitely worth adding to a library.

The Paper Kingdom by Helena Ku Rhee is a short story about a young boy named Daniel and his parents, and the night that they had to bring him to work. Daniel's Aunt Clara wasn't able to watch over him for the night, so his parents bring him to their workplace. The parents begin cleaning up quite a large mess, picking up papers, wiping down tables and counters, mopping the floors. Daniel, watching his parents work so hard to clean up the mess, begins to grow upset. He asks them why people are show more so messy, expressing frustration that they are only leaving a mess for them to pick up later. During the book, Daniel's parents invent ways for Daniel to have fun. They tell him that they are in the Paper Kingdom, cleaning up for the king. Overall, the Paper Kingdom follows the theme of imagination and duty, finding a way to blend the two of them together in a beautiful way. show less

It's true; sometimes people have to take their children to work. At my most recent hotel stay the housekeeping team was running late because they couldn't get care and wound up having to bring their daughter in with them. Lovely child, loving family. I tipped even a little more generously than usual. I hope Daniel, and that girl, both get careers that give them satisfaction and the ability to take care of their parents... and that they treat the dragons nicely....