My Dad is a Grizzly Bear (Swapna Haddow)

June 14, 2022Leave a comment

Hello, friends! Our book today is My Dad is a Grizzly Bear, written by Swapna Haddow and illustrated by Dapo Adeola, a fun look at a father with distinctly ursine qualities.

Be cautious, be careful, and be aware; the unnamed narrator of this silly tale has a hulking grizzly bear for a father! Fuzzy fur on his face, enormous paws, and a love of honey – yup, all pretty bearlike! He also falls asleep anywhere, then growls and grunts when he wakes, hunting for food. He also LOVES the outdoors, taking his kiddos camping and hiking, even though it’s soggy or rainy sometimes. But when the narrator is scared, there is no one who gives better bear hugs.

Sweet and silly. Haddow’s conversational text exploring the many bear-reminiscent qualities of the narrator’s father will definitely inspire some giggles in young readers, especially for those who have parents of their own that share said habits. For those reading aloud, there’s a strange rhythm on the first page that suggests the book’s text will be rhyming – it’s not – and it may cause a stumble on the first read, but the story itself is fun and warm (possibly with the exception of the narrator’s mother terrifying her children with stories of bears on a camping trip). The illustrations are equally amusing, depicting the characters’ mixed-race family with humor and affection. My only other complaint is equally small as the previous two, but there is something about the pale flesh-colored patches around the father’s eyes when he is depicted as a bear that just… weirded me out. But that could absolutely be a hangup unique to me – JJ loved the artwork and story, and the length was perfect for a storytime. Overall, an entertaining read to celebrate papa bears, and it’s Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

You Be Daddy (Karla Clark)

August 24, 2021Leave a comment

Hello, friends! Our book today is You Be Daddy, written by Karla Clark and illustrated by Steph Lew, a natural companion title to Clark’s previous book, You Be Mommy.

As with You Be Mommy, a tired parent – a father this time – jokingly mentions how exhausted he is, and makes a request of his youngest child: “Can you be Daddy?”. Gamely, his young song runs his father a bubble bath (with fun bath toys, of course), then builds a bedtime fort for two. As the two prepare for “Daddy’s” bedtime, Dad recounts the busy, taxing day he had: crazy traffic, cooking, cleaning up messes, paying bills, and making time for play. His youngest son is happy to make sure he is tucked in with a cuddly stuffie and a warm nightlight, taking care of dad just the way that dad takes care of him… until the little boy needs to put into his own bed, of course. Then Dad does what dads do, and finds the energy to make sure his kiddo is taken care of.

Very sweet. As with You Be Mommy, the concept of switching the parent-child roles during bedtime is done with humor and affection, creating a playful moments between a fictional father and child that readers can identify with. It also gives young readers a glimpse into all that parents do for their kids during the day, creating empathy for when their own parents might be a little worn out before bedtime. Lew’s illustrations are lovely, giving warmth and charm to the characters with details like the son’s clear love of dinosaurs, as well as visual representations of the family’s Chinese heritage within their home. There are also clues within the artwork that, unlike You Be Mommy, this is a two-parent household; this doesn’t detract from the quality of the story, but does feel like a missed opportunity to represent single fathers, who are a marginalized demographic in kidlit. Otherwise, the length is perfect for a bedtime book, and JJ loved the artwork and gentle story. This would make a great read for any father and child to share, and it’s Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

My Papa Is A Princess (Doug Cenko)

August 30, 2018Leave a comment

(Due to unforeseen circumstances, we were unable to post last night’s review. Sorry for the delay!)

Hello, friends! Our book today is My Papa Is A Princess by Doug Cenko, a heartwarming look at the many things a father can be.

The reader is introduced to the papa-daughter duo by the unnamed child narrator: “My Papa is…”. He’s a racecar driver, an art collector, a hair stylist, a master chef. Each example is shown in the fantastical image through his child’s eyes followed by the reality – playing with toy cars on the floor, admiring a collection of crayon drawings, braiding his child’s pigtails, and cooking a meal – all as a pair. But the best thing Papa is? He’s Papa!

This was wonderful! I loved the mixture of father-child (the youngster appears to be a little girl, but this is subtly never defined) activities: some are masculine, some are feminine, and both characters are clearly enjoying their time together regardless. The illustrations are warm and loving, with both versions of the various “jobs” being a treat to compare. The text is simple and sweet, making for a quick yet easily repeated read. And clearly, JJ was a fan. This is a fantastic story for daddies and their own little bookworms to share, and we loved it. Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

Dad By My Side (Soosh)

August 9, 2018August 9, 2018Leave a comment

Hello, friends! Our book today is Dad By My Side by Soosh, a touching ode to fatherhood.

In a series of vignettes, we meet a burly dad and his tiny daughter, getting a look into the things they like to do together. The reader is shown scenes of cooking, swimming, reading, playing, or simply hanging out with one another. The girl notes that her dad comforts her through the bad times (such as when her turtle passes away), protects her from monsters under the bed, and never misses a lullaby, even when he’s away. With all this love, guidance, and support, the little girl can see the stars, because with “Dad by my side, there’s nothing we can’t do.”

Positively precious. Each scene is as warm, cozy, and sentimental as the last, and will cut straight to the heart of any dad (especially the sizeable teddy bear variety like JJ’s daddy). I loved the variety of the father-daughter activities, especially the inclusion of some traditional feminine bonding activities such as sewing a dress or doing hair for a dance recital – it shows that no caring dad is too big or tough to take interest in his daughter’s hobbies. The watercolor illustrations are beautiful, humorous, and heartwarming, and the minimal text is just right. The length was great, and JJ loved it. A beautiful look at the special bond between dads and their little ones, and it’s Baby Bookworm approved!

Hooked (Tommy Greenwald)

June 18, 2018Leave a comment

Hello friends and Happy Father’s Day! Our review today is Hooked, written by Tommy Greenwald and illustrated by David McPhail, a fishing story of father and son.

To Joe, there’s no better way to spend a day than a fishing trip. He enjoys the peaceful quiet and being alone with his imagination. More than anything, Joe wants his dad to join him, but his dad always says no, protesting that it’s boring (and he doesn’t like worms). So Joe joins the town fishing group instead, and is excited to hear of the upcoming ice fishing trip – until the group leader says that he must be accompanied by an adult. Joe asks his father to join him, who agrees on one condition: he never has to go fishing with Joe again. But when the pair head out to the lake, Joe’s dad may find that fishing isn’t just about what you catch, but who you spend the day with.

I have mixed feelings on this one. On one hand, it ends up being a sweet story, where Joe’s father learns to appreciate fishing as time spent together, and Joe can finally share his hobby. The illustrations are darling, with a nostalgic storybook style. But honestly, I can’t get over what a jerk Joe’s dad at first! Yes, he eventually realizes his error, but the responses he gives to his son wanting to spend time with him – and the way the illustrations show how clearly heartbroken Joe is by them – are upsetting as a parent, and could be upsetting to young readers as well. It’s a judgement call for those who want to share this with their own little bookworms, but it quite frankly turned me off. Otherwise, the length was fine, and JJ enjoyed the illustrations. But overall, this is one we’ll throw back.

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)