DAY OUT WITH DADDY
by Stephen Cook & illustrated by Stephen Cook
This caper shares the fun that Dad and son have while Mom’s away. The special day starts a tad before dawn: “I knew Daddy was going to be extra excited, so I got up extra early,” narrates the tot. Throughout the story the splashy illustrations illuminate what the text does not. This painting presents the boy dressed for the occasion in his gold-and-red band outfit, trumpet blaring as bug-eyed Pop leaps from the sheets in terror. The clock reads 4:00 AM. Father and son enjoy “a good breakfast,” which consists of purple-and-pink frosted doughnuts and an array of sticky buns. After a day of outings humorously observed by the boy, Dad tackles dinner. He isn’t so great at multitasking; the meal pretty much explodes, but the day is saved when pizza arrives and Mom comes home full of love and chagrin. Clichés abound, but are often true enough to make this a jocular yarn that delights in father-and-son bonding. (Picture book. 3-6)