Because Your Daddy Loves You
by Andrew Clements; illustrated by R.W. Alley
No sooner had I started this blog than I noticed one terrible trend in kiddie lit: the lack of Dads. I'd open book after book where Daddy was M.I.A., and it was left to Mom to soothe boo-boos or impart wisdom.
To me, that's even worse than TV commercials portraying the family patriarch as a know-nothing buffoon, always in the way and getting it wrong. At least those men are physically present.
So for Father's Day, I'm introducing a new category -- Dads -- and reviewing two books for the Man of the House.
The first is a delightful jaunt to the beach with a loving, tender pop and his adoring daughter. There's no Mom in this book, making it a perfect gift for those fathers flying solo.
Clements' Dad rejects the aloof, stern stereotypes and always opts to dispel nightmares, rummage for that misplaced shoe or wade into cold surf for a lost ball -- just like the father I knew growing up, and which no little princess should be without.
Alley's cartoonish illustrations lend a humorous touch, padding Dad out a bit and softening his edges, without making him goofy or klutzy. He's just a regular guy, reveling in his role as an everyday hero.
Note: the next Dads book will be reviewed on Thursday.
Rating: *\*\*\
I found it such a relief to read a story to our son in which 1. had a dad in it and 2. I like the dad in it.
Posted by: brettdl | June 14, 2005 at 11:22 AM
Try "Enemy Pie" for a great story featuring a wise and funny dad (who appears to be a single parent).
P.s. I love these reviews!
Posted by: elswhere | July 20, 2005 at 06:32 PM
Many, many thanks, both for the recommendation and the compliment. Sorry I haven't been posting as much lately ... will be back in a few weeks.
Posted by: Anne | July 20, 2005 at 08:10 PM
I loved this book. My husband is very hands on with our kids, so it was nice to watch him reading this one to our son.
Posted by: taluka | October 29, 2007 at 01:16 PM