A fatherless boy tells his mom of the father he imagines. This dream father would help him with his homework, play checkers, read to him, tell him jokes and understand about being a boy. He would also do his share of housework and show consideration for his wife. Mom listens carefully, but can make no promises or give assurances that he will ever have that perfect dad. But she does tell him that he could be that wonderful father when he grows up. While ostensibly about father-and-son relationships, it is mother love that surrounds this child. Zolotow handles a delicate situation with compassion. There’s no pie-in-the-sky happy ending, but there is abounding love and hope. Originally published in 1971, it certainly holds up a generation later. Pham’s new illustrations flow across each two-page spread and beautifully capture the spirit of the text. In addition, endpapers depict crayon drawings of scenes of the boy and his father as if the boy drew them himself. Warm and tender. (Picture book. 5-8)
