My Dad Is An Ironman (Fiction, 28 pages)
by Ray Hoese
Illustrated by Coreen Steinbach
For Children 9-12 or Adults of Any Age

Published by Breakaway Books ($15)
Website: Amazon.com

Coreen Steinbach gives us visual delights: her yellows, for instance. And isn't that a Lance Armstrong bracelet? Her crowd scenes look like quilts made with singular pieces. Each person in them is an individual. Two pages opposite each other show the anxious but quiet wait for the Start of the triathlon which is just off the beach in shallow water and then, across the stitching, the pandemonium, the thrashing to find space to swim when the cannon goes off. On a certain page, there's an airport we recognize!

In California, Jordan and her family follow Dad's natural interests in swimming, biking and running from his commitment to the Ironman triathlon through the months of training, to the event which is a transcontinental flight away, in Florida. Coreen takes us into the heart of the effort stroke-by-stroke, push-of-the-pedal by push-of-the-pedal. The misery of a hard effort in hard rain, under dark clouds is made light for Dad with the thought of Jordan, lovingly depicted by the artist in a thought bubble. (Is there an athlete who doesn't know what the thought of a loved one can do for you during the duress of competition?) He knows that, after cycling 112 miles, he still has 26.2 miles to go, step-by-step. Along the marathon route, Mama` and Jordan see Dad. They hug. Day ends and becomes cooler. Jordan puts on a long-sleeve shirt. Mama` and Jordan see the winner. They see other finishers. Jordan grows sleepy after the tenth hour, but finally she sees her Dad. The two break the tape together in the dark, triumphant, in front of the families and friends of all of the triathletes. Coreen gives us the happy father and daughter and, above them, the clock, 12.49:39. We've seen it all.

Coreen's partner in this work is Ray Hoese. He has written a simple story about an uncomplicated family. They swim, bike, run. They go to the beach and they go to the zoo. They snorkel. Mama` and Opa live in Florida. The only heavy breathing and sweat in the story come with the effort of training for a triathlon and competition. Nine year old daughter Jordan tells the story and we get to see it. MY DAD IS AN IRONMAN is animated with the brush of a knowledgeable artist, a former audiologist who worked with children, an athlete with national ranking.

What you see is what you get. This is not Where the Wild Things Are or Alice in Wonderland , stories in which meanings are hidden in fantastical illustrations. Coreen paints an ordinary family--father, mother, two daughters, and grandparents--and their plain pleasures. At last, something of merit, without the angst. MY DAD IS AN IRONMAN is a good story. It is true. It is beautiful.

Review by Lennie Tucker