An African-American child accustomed to hearing stories about her mama's childhood asks for one at bedtime, knowing full well what the true-life story will be. Readers are drawn into the warm family memories of past comings and goings, partings and returns so common in familes and yet so personal for this one. A superb recognition of intergenerational experience is recreated through a question and answer dialogue and in the exquisitely painted watercolors which incorporate details appealing to young children. (Ages 3-9)