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DAD SCHOOL

Name: DAD SCHOOL
Author: Rebecca Van Slyke
ISBN: 978-0-385-38895-5

by Rebecca Van Slyke ; illustrated by Priscilla Burris ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 19, 2016

Food for thought for kids: just how did Dad learn his mad skillz? (Picture book. 4-8)

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A child named Lucas imagines the school his dad must have attended to learn how to be such an awesome father.

The syllabus at Dad School consists of learning how to deal with boo-boos and leaky faucets and how to make yummy snacks. There are also a few tongue-in-cheek lessons they shouldn’t miss, including singing “along with old songs on the radio,” making big muscles, “throw[ing]…kids up in the air and catch[ing] them,” and multitasking. While the little white boy is certainly glad his dad was present on the days they taught “making ice cream sundaes, telling silly stories, and giving piggyback rides,” he’s sure he was absent for matching clothes, combing hair, and cleaning the bathroom. And while this particular dad has another job, he says his favorite, best, and most important job is being a dad. Burris’ pencil and digital brush illustrations play up the humor and ridiculousness of a bunch of guys learning (and struggling with) the curriculum. Dads of all sorts of hair and skin colors are shown in the illustrations, though all are able-bodied and relatively trim. And while they may be a bit inept at Dad School, hopefully their on-the-job training has given them the skills they need to succeed.

Food for thought for kids: just how did Dad learn his mad skillz? (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: April 19, 2016

ISBN: 978-0-385-38895-5

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Doubleday

Review Posted Online: March 15, 2016

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2016

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY

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THE POWER OF YETI
by Rebecca Van Slyke ; illustrated by G. Brian Karas

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LANA LYNN AND THE NEW WATCHDOG
by Rebecca Van Slyke ; illustrated by Anca Sandu

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GOOD NIGHT, ALLIGATOR
by Rebecca Van Slyke ; illustrated by Mike Boldt

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THERE'S A ROCK CONCERT IN MY BEDROOM

by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 29, 2022

Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.

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Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.

Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)

Pub Date: March 29, 2022

ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin

Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS

- BOOK REVIEW
THERE'S A BEACH IN MY BEDROOM
by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson

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I GOT YOU

by Derrick Barnes ; illustrated by Shamar Knight-Justice ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 15, 2025

Brotherly love and Black joy abound in this brilliantly told tribute to the ties that bind.

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When Mom and Dad bring baby Rasheed home for the first time, it’s love at first sight for big brother Anthony.

As the boys grow, Anthony teaches his little sibling how to build a tower with blocks (and how to knock it down with a loud “WHOP!!!”), how to ride a bike, and even how to fly (through a well-timed leap from the swings). When thunder and lightning wake them both one night, Anthony assuages Rasheed’s fears with the book’s titular refrain: “I got you.” But one day Anthony goes for a bike ride with his friends, leaving Rasheed alone and hurt. That night, Anthony explains that while he may spend time with his peers, his bond with Rasheed is unbreakable. And as the book comes to a close, with Mom and Dad introducing the boys to their new little sibling, Anthony leaves Rasheed with perhaps the greatest lesson of all: how to be a supportive big brother himself. Narrated by Rasheed, Barnes’ text is elegant in its simplicity, loving yet never saccharine, and always emotionally honest. Using varied perspectives, Knight-Justice’s richly hued, collagelike digital illustrations combine a patchwork of textures and patterns, immersing readers in this affectionate Black family’s world. Greens and blues dominate the pages, bringing to life an idyllic suburban setting.

Brotherly love and Black joy abound in this brilliantly told tribute to the ties that bind. (Picture book. 4-8)