MY PAPA HAS A RED MUSTACHE

This pipsqueak loves everything about her papa…except for his red mustache.

Sure, Papa can flap and flip pancakes like a ninja, hold his own during pillow fights, and serve as a pigtail artist extraordinaire. But his red mustache embarrasses his daughter; it makes him stand out too much, especially when literally “every other man in the whole wide world has a BLACK mustache.” Hanging out with her papa also brings the fun, whether they’re picnicking in the park, swinging on the monkey bars, or playing soccer. (He lets her win, after all.) But as soon as other papas with their black mustaches arrive at the park, the young protagonist cringes. When Papa invites her to her first real soccer match, the opinionated youngster is much too excited to worry about his glowing red mustache among the sea of black facial hair on game day. In the packed stadium, however, father and daughter are separated. Will the red mustache save the day? In his first picture book as both author and illustrator, Espinosa mines a refreshingly sweet tale from a childhood rite of passage—feeling embarrassed by one’s parents—that’s sure to resonate with parents and children alike. With its cool rhythm, the playful text makes for a fun read-aloud, bolstered by chuckle-worthy moments and vibrant, delightful artwork. Both father and daughter are pale-skinned.

Stache-tacularly cheerful.