Me and Dad (Time Together)

Every day moments between a father and a child are captured in this sweet book. From quiet talking time to favorite song time, these small moments create lasting memories.

PreS-Gr 1—Children and their fathers share activities such as tea parties, chores, reading, baking, making music, and walking the dog. The prose is simple and straightforward, while the sweet and appealing illustrations show the pairs thoroughly engaged and enjoying each other's company, and the large pictures stand out on the blank white backgrounds, making them perfect for group viewing. Great for lap reading or to put on a Father's Day reading display.—Jasmine L. Precopio, Fox Chapel Area School District, Pittsburgh, PA

Dads—what are they good for? Catherine provides a dozen or so suggestions in this gentle look at the good times one can have with the old man. Each of a series of double-page spreads depicts a father and child doing an activity together. Some are fun (“fairy tale time”) and some are rote (“shiny smile time” when brushing teeth), but all evidence affectionate everyday interactions. Campion uses appealing, retro-style illustrations to give readers a wide variety of dads to identify with, from the hip-looking dude painting with his daughter (“colorful family portrait time”), to the bearded guy chasing his kid in the park (“sneaky hide-n-seek time”), to the bespectacled fellow squashed up to fit at a play table (“fancy tea party time”). It ends, naturally enough, with bedtime, establishing that fathers will be there throughout many experiences. Though this is sweet enough for any family, it might be especially useful for a child who does not live with his or her father and is nervous about an impending visit. Preschool-Kindergarten. --Daniel Kraus