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The tale portrays the love and struggle of a single-parent Black family.
Are You the Man of the House?
The Fixer and the Garage Door: Charlie, is a story of a good-hearted boy, Charlie, who wants to take care of his mom.
He ensures that he takes care of everything in his house that needs fixing since his dad passed away.
His uncle notices his passion and buys him a hand power tool, the best present ever.
Charlie gets to work and takes care of all the repairs. Then his mom tells him a raccoon almost bit her.
It comes in through the broken seals on top of the garage door, Charlie is baffled.
“No raccoon’s biting anyone!” Charlie says and sets out to cover the holes,
but he learns that fixing the garage door requires some expertise.
After his mom kisses him goodnight, Charlie lies in his bed.
He wonders why his dad passed before Charlie got to know him and learn things from him?
His mom checks on him, and Charlie seizes the opportunity to get answers.
Does his mom give him satisfactory answers?
*I republished the Fixer and the Garage Door after I got a report that somebody read the first publication and started having snakes' nightmares.*
This colorful tale of love, responsibility, initiative and cooperation bridges important gaps in picture books. For one, the characters are African American. More, from the first page readers will see that Charlie's Uncle Jay is both role model and support.
Illustrator Marina Jovic is described as one who creates, “worlds of wonder, happiness and imagination.” Page after page off the text proves it. Uzoma Ezekwudo’s narrative combines with the pictures to build a tale that will delight children who cannot read and not used to a complex plot or character in a story.
The Fixer and the Garage Door’s plot and prose are prose is simple and straightforward. For example, told that there was a raccoon in the garage, Charlie the fixer, goes into action. “Back from school the next day, I quickly did my homework,” he explains. “I grabbed my power tool and tape measure and set out to close the holes. I could be the man of the house that mom needed.”
Charlie’s determination to fill that role drives the story. Most of that adds to the book’s strong message on love and cooperation in family. If the narrative is not enough to support interaction, the author adds a music and lyrics to a song and discussion questions.
Readers of The Fixer and The Garage can the words to remain simple and straightforward until page 11. Charlie says, “Quaquaquaquara!” Whether meant to be a word or sound, the expression is out of context. I found no solid definition, so it might trip up readers and listeners. Also, in the story’s last few pages the mood shifts. Charlie asks heavy questions. The writer should have kept that content for another story. Overall, the book's pluses make it a delight.
Reviewed by
I review a broad range of works in fiction, nonfiction and poetry, especially related to history, politics, culture, and memoir. My works go back more than 40 years in a wide range of publications. I love a good story and really appreciate knowledge.
Synopsis
Are You the Man of the House?
The Fixer and the Garage Door: Charlie, is a story of a good-hearted boy, Charlie, who wants to take care of his mom.
He ensures that he takes care of everything in his house that needs fixing since his dad passed away.
His uncle notices his passion and buys him a hand power tool, the best present ever.
Charlie gets to work and takes care of all the repairs. Then his mom tells him a raccoon almost bit her.
It comes in through the broken seals on top of the garage door, Charlie is baffled.
“No raccoon’s biting anyone!” Charlie says and sets out to cover the holes,
but he learns that fixing the garage door requires some expertise.
After his mom kisses him goodnight, Charlie lies in his bed.
He wonders why his dad passed before Charlie got to know him and learn things from him?
His mom checks on him, and Charlie seizes the opportunity to get answers.
Does his mom give him satisfactory answers?
*I republished the Fixer and the Garage Door after I got a report that somebody read the first publication and started having snakes' nightmares.*
About the author
Uzoma (Uzo) R. Ezekwudo is an author and an exquisite hand batik artist. She is the author of LEE AND LIMBO: Friends Come and Go, Life continues and Gets Better. Uzo loves creativity, and she says, “I love to be in my creative universe because it’s peaceful, fun and therapeutic.” view profile
Published on March 16, 2021
0-1000 words
Worked with a Reedsy professional 🏆
Genre: Picture Books
Reviewed by
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