DADDIES DO

A rhyming ode to all the things daddies do with their children.

Bathing and fishing, making yummy snacks, building forts, snapping photos, giving a boost: Daddies do it all in this rollicking look at fatherhood. “Who takes you on outings / and simply won’t care / if you’ve picked your own outfit / or have messy hair? / DADDIES DO. / THAT’S WHO!” The lion dad wrestles with his cub, proclaiming how much stronger his tot is. The peacock father lets his child help on a project. The octopus child is cheered up by dad when they’re sick. And more than one parent (of any gender) may smile knowingly at the kangaroo dad who falls asleep reading to his joey. Evans’ rhyme and rhythm are spot-on, and the refrain ensures readers’ participation during read-alouds. Ferro’s brightly colored cartoon illustrations were created using gouache, colored pencil, and ink. The dad-child relationships ooze sweetness, and an owl unobtrusively placed within many spreads cues the “Who…” questions as well as the final “Guess who?” There is nary a mother in sight, and few pages show siblings. These dads prepare food and bathe and soothe their children, as nurturing as can be.

A solid and sweet look at the traditional and expanding roles of a father.