MY DAD

by Anthony Browne & illustrated by Anthony Browne ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 12, 2001

Greenaway and Hans Christian Andersen medallist Browne presents a sweet-natured celebration of Dad in all his infinite variety. Browne, a master of the colored-pencil and wash illustration, has an almost preternatural gift for balancing delicious detail with winning whimsy. Here, warmly appealing, carefully composed pictures feature a simple and wonderfully appealing motif—an umber, sepia, and sunny yellow-toned plaid bathrobe fabric as unique visual shorthand for, well . . . Dad. From our first view of him (clasping a mug of tea at the breakfast table) to last (clasping the androgynous child narrator in a feet-off-the-ground hug), he’s reliably clad in his all-occasion snappy blue-and-white-striped pajamas, cozy red slippers, and his “signature” woolen plaid dressing gown. Whether Browne depicts him as a horse tucking into a huge mound of beans, chips, eggs, and tomatoes, a professional wrestler, competing in school field day, or even as weightlifting gorilla, he’s the man in plaid. The publisher may have done a disservice to Dads as well as the book in their well-meaning attempt at improved accessibility for the American audience. In a central spread, bath-robed and mortarboard-clad owl as Dad is posed professorially against a chalkboard covered with arithmetic problems. The facing page then depicts Dad proudly posed (à la American Gothic) with a stiff push broom that pleasingly matches his equally stiff and contoured, flat-top hair—once called a “brush cut.” The original text reads: “He’s as wise as an owl and as bristly as a brush. He’s all right my dad.” The newest version instead captions Dad with broom: “except when he tries to help. He’s all right my dad.” Click. A singularly unfortunate default to the stereotype that any man who engages in any family “life support” activities (like cleaning) is de facto inept. This disappointing spread is even more out-of-step in a book that celebrates the “every-Dad” in every way. Does this flaw/defect detract enough to merit a knee-jerk rejection? No. We can only hope the publisher will return to the original in future reprints. In the meantime, you might want to stock up for Father’s Day. This one has family favorite written all over it. (Picture book. All ages)

Pub Date: April 12, 2001

ISBN: 0-374-35101-5

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2001

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY