This is a marvelous and simple book. William Saroyan paints a delightful picture of what he imagines life for his son is like when they spend summers together. Whether or not Aram Saroyan actually perceived anything like his father's description is irrelevant. I first read this story a a boy of 13 or 14 years of age and always remembered it vividly. The book is a wonderful instruction manual for how a father should teach his children about the beauty and celebration of life. When I became a father 25 years after first reading the book I searched my family's house for the story. It remained as vital as I remembered. The book taught me at an early age that a good parent must permit children to see you as you truly are. And thus, one must strive to be a good and generous person.