It’s Rory’s first Fathers’ Day without his Dad living at home and he’s struggling to work out how he feels.
On the one hand, he loves spending time with his dad at the weekends, but now he and his mum are living with Mum’s new boyfriend, Tony, who is also really nice. Rory misses his dad, but he doesn’t want to upset Tony or his Mum. Who should he send his card to?
Rory ends up scribbling on his paper in frustration, then tears his card in two and shoves it in his pocket.
Seeing Rory’s distress when Fathers’ Day arrives, Tony suggests an outing. He takes Rory the art gallery. Here Rory discovers lots of wonderful paintings, including some that look a bit like his own angry drawing.
With Tony’s help, and a surprise visit from his dad, Rory learns that both his dad and Tony love and care about him and that he doesn’t have to choose between them.
A heartwarming story of a blended family that many young children will relate to, with engaging illustrations by debut illustrator Jessica Knight.
Ian Eagleton is author of Nen and the Lonely Fisherman which won the Polari Prize, 2022 and shortlisted for the British Book Awards.
Rory’s Room of Rectangles is published by Owlet Press, 2023.
