YOU ARE MY FAVORITE STORY

Two dads team up to describe the fantastic feelings of fatherhood in this picture book.

Many fathers in the United States are deeply invested in improving their parenting skills. For those at any stage of this journey, this book by two law professor fathers is a must-read, since it accessibly challenges the assumptions, ingrained in the minds of many Americans, that the sole role of a father is to pursue a career and be the family disciplinarian. King and Duru, in illuminating poetry and prose, encourage dads to be emotionally available: to articulate love, affirm pain and fright and nervousness, and embrace the imperfection of fatherhood. These important messages, delivered in the format of a dad conversing with his child (“When I was little, I wanted to grow up to be a Daddy….Have I Ever Told You That?”), are enhanced by Cabuay’s illustrations, which are engaging, identifiable, and inclusive. The pain of a child who falls off a bike or the joy of seeing one’s father leaving school, rendered through dynamic and colorful artwork, will resonate with readers. The book is an excellent choice for storytime and an emotional conversation starter. QR codes offer an audiobook, further resources, and family activities (not reviewed).

A book that encourages deeper relationships between dads and their kids.