When Granddad picks Ava up from school one Thursday afternoon, she''s quiet. She doesn''t want to talk about the lockdown drill that has stirred up her worries.

How can she be so afraid in a place that has always felt so safe?

Granddad doesn’t talk much either; he just offers creativity and companionship. And with his gentle encouragement, Ava begins to sense that although the world can be scary, it is still a beautiful place.

With tender insight, One Thursday Afternoon sheds light on how an unpredictable world can make a child feel, reminding us that big fears can become smaller when we take time together to look, listen, and create. An author’s note about the story’s real-life inspiration and recommendations for how adults can help children overcome fear is included.

"Adults may learn a trick or two from Granddad’s model of patience, acceptance, communication, and support, while sensitive children will see they are not alone and that it’s OK to feel upset. . . . A sweet,specific, and straightforward tale of dealing with good and bad in the world." —Kirkus Reviews