Have you ever wondered what it was like for kids during important moments in history? Meet Tomie dePaola, a first-grader trying to understand the grown-up world after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. Suddenly, everything feels a little different. Why are the grown-ups talking in quiet whispers at home and even at school? What's going on when his class has to practice air raid drills in the big, spooky furnace room? And why does his family hang thick black curtains over all the windows at home? Tomie feels a mix of confusion and fear, and it's a lot for a young boy to take in. Luckily, his loving mother is always there to explain things and offer comfort, helping him make sense of the new rules and worries. She helps him feel a bit better, but even with explanations and hugs, some scary feelings can linger. Join Tomie as he navigates these big changes, learning how a family sticks together when the world outside feels uncertain.