OUR SHED

A father and daughter build a backyard shed—and their relationship.

Every step of the way, the father is teaching, guiding, and relating to his daughter in ways that affirm her desire to learn, to play, and to spend time with him. He explains why they need a shed; teaches her how to choose materials; shares a milkshake (with two straws); joins her in a dance on her own private dance floor. After measuring twice and cutting once, the two frame the walls and then take a break so she can battle “the nastiest dragon in the land” (depicted as a white chalk outline and described as “daddy-dragon” in the narration). In three days, the shed is ready to paint; she can’t choose just one color, so they get two…and father’s and daughter’s shed plans delightfully merge. Over four pages, the duo grab various tools from the shed to fuel their fun as they visually age and the seasons turn, the final of the four showing a new addition: the daughter’s son, who makes his own mark on the shed. O’Neill’s illustrations keep the focus on the pair and the work they do both building and bonding, the imaginative scenes just as colorful as reality but with the addition of white chalk–outlined figures. Dad has light skin and brown hair; his daughter has darker skin and short, straight black hair. Pair this with Hammer and Nails by Josh Bledsoe and illustrated by Jessica Warrick (2016).

This dad is a welcome role model for father figures everywhere.