Robin is very sad when his father leaves for a business trip for two weeks and will miss his birthday. His brother Thomas listens to his lament and understands what he is going through. Then strange and wonderful things start happening on the clothesline in their yard.
Robin finds an envelope containing red licorice and then a small car carved out of soap. He believes that the clothesline is magic and somehow is delivering these gifts from his father. There are more gifts and then a full explanation of what has been happening.
This psychologically rich children's picture book by Andree Poulin with illustrations by Marion Arbona also has an accompanying "Note to Parents" by Ann Rasmussen, a clinical psychologist about ways to deal with kids who are saddened and depressed when separated from their fathers or mothers. The Magic Clothesline is aimed at children ages 4 through 8.
