Review by Booklist Review
PreS-Gr. 2. Mrs. Madoff's class is doing something special--making Father's Day gifts. Narrator Sam explains that each child will write a special book for his or her dad. Sam wants to write about how strong his father is. Eveline remembers how Papa sings to her while Maman is at work. Jessica has two fathers, one in Texas, and one at home. Which one should she write about? Mrs. Madoff suggests both. The narrative is a bit jerky, making it occasionally hard to tell who is speaking. And though the text considers divorce (both of Jessica's dads come to the Father's Day celebration), there is no mention of fatherless children. The best part of the book is the way it reflects the differences in dads; many kids will see their own fathers--men who play soccer, paint rooms, bake cookies, read books. The artwork, with rounded shapes and smooth colors, has a simple, friendly look that puts the focus on the characters. This has a shelf life past Father's Day. --Ilene Cooper Copyright 2005 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-A welcome companion to the Rockwells' Mother's Day (HarperCollins, 2004). When the students in Mrs. Madoff's class are asked to write books about their dads, each child's work illustrates a distinctive aspect of the relationship with a pleasing variety of multicultural nuances. Lizzie Rockwell's cheery illustrations closely follow the text, with color and simplicity that will appeal to young children. In addition to honoring fatherhood, a very basic understanding of bookmaking is revealed as the students write and illustrate their work before taking it to the school's publishing center. Another noteworthy aspect to this seemingly straightforward book is the variety of family configurations included. Most children will be able to make a connection to the positive role models, even if their own fathers don't fit these ideals. Don't limit this book to Father's Day-it should be enjoyed year round. Also, teachers will find it useful for stimulating discussion about what makes a family.-Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
The kids in Mrs. Madoff's class, who celebrated Mother's Day in an earlier book, are now preparing for Father's Day by creating books about their dads. The use of one of the children, Sam, as the narrator is distracting, and Mother's Day's up-with-difference message is more diffuse here. Meanwhile, the tidy illustrations in an anything-goes palette are inviting. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
