THE VERY BEST DADDY OF ALL
by Marion Dane Bauer & illustrated by Leslie Wu
Just in time for Father’s Day, Newbery Honor author Bauer offers a companion to My Mother Is Mine (2001). Here, animal daddies demonstrate paternal nurturing qualities while providing safety and shelter for their offspring in simple ways that are certain to resonate with young readers. For example, a father robin brings a crunchy and sweet breakfast of worms to the nest; a gorilla gently combs his baby’s hair so it’s fresh and neat; and a wolf comforts his crying cub. Mothers will especially appreciate the acknowledgement that “some [fathers] take care or your mama, so she can take care of you.” Wu’s dramatic illustrations of animals in their natural habitat display fantastic color, depth, and feeling, providing the perfect complement to the sentimental text. A beautiful celebration of fathers of all species, complete with a separate greeting card to share. (Picture book. 1-5)