DADDY CUDDLE

An enthusiastic early riser tries to get the attention of a sleepyhead daddy.

Caregivers who similarly like to sleep in will see where this is going from the opening page: “Early in the morning, when it’s quiet and dark, Bunny’s eyes go ping!” The little tyke is snuggled in a blanket, ears alert and nose lifted, eyes wide and eager to see what fun the day holds. The child peeks around the corner of Daddy’s door, stands at his bedside, blankie in hand, looking hopefully up. But no matter what Bunny offers, Daddy snoozes on. “Daddy ball? // Daddy bike? // Daddy kite?” After what must seem like forever to the little tyke, Mayes and Acton insert a double-page spread that isolates Bunny on verso against a white background and dwarfed by a giant speech bubble that extends across the gutter: “Wake up, Daddy!” This does the trick, and the final four spreads depict the tender relationship of father and child: “Daddy lift. // Daddy kiss. // Daddy snuggle. // Daddy cuddle.” This last finds the two peacefully asleep. Acton’s ink-and-watercolor illustrations are delightfully rough and sketchy, keeping the focus on expressions and body language.

With its simple vocabulary and pattern, this just might keep young early risers in bed a little longer to read, but don’t count on it.