At night, Jacuzzi cares for his baby brother, makes a blender cyclone, ponders life, and waits for mama's arrival home.
The first children's book from multi-genre artist Brontez Purnell, a 2018 winner of the Whiting Award, sweetly portrays a common but rarely narrated childhood experience--having a single parent and taking care of a younger sibling. With illustrations by Brooklyn artist Elise R. Peterson, The Nightlife of Jacuzzi Gaskett recounts 11-year-old Jacuzzi's evening activities while he cares for his baby brother and waits for mama's arrival home. He ponders his dad, school, and his future--and when his brother wakes up, Jacuzzi knows just how to get him back to sleep.
Countering stereotypes of the irresponsible single Black mother or the delinquent Black youth, this book showcases Jacuzzi’s love for his baby brother and their special time together....This book is funny, smart, surprising, and irreverent.
—LIT HUB
