HOW TO SURPRISE A DAD

The successful team behind How to Babysit a Grandma (2014) returns to create a quick how-to title for those wanting to seriously surprise their father.

A brother and sister join efforts with a little help from their mom. The first thing to remember: “To surprise a dad, you have to be tricky.” After showing readers how to disguise this book, they then suggest surprises to make (“build a snow-dad” or “invent something amazing just for him”), to do (“get his toothbrush ready” or “reorganize his shoes and hats”), and find by looking “up, down, under and all around.” Reagan keeps the text flowing with plans most children would feel confident carrying out, and Wildish adds touches of humor in each of the digitally rendered illustrations. Regular-day surprises are distinguished from “Special Day surprises.” When the ante is upped, deciding whom to invite, what treats will be served (spicy chips, smoked oysters, superstinky cheese), and what presents need to be made keep the young planners creatively busy. All the members of this family have dark, wavy hair and dark skin—a nice change from generic, pink-skinned families.

It’s an obvious choice for Father’s Day, with year-round surprise applicability.