Review by Booklist Review
Peter and Parsons' vivid, imaginative storytelling brings to life an unnamed, ungendered, olive-skinned narrator and their two fathers--one white, one brown--weaving a relatable tale for children of adopted, blended, and LGBTQ+ families. Alongside their loyal canine companion, the child and daddies embark on a series of fantastical storybook adventures that encourage a love for learning and literature but also an appreciation for family stories, such as how the child was adopted by their daddies. Accompanied by Parsons' bright, energetic illustrations, Peter's rhyming text reminds young readers that all types of family structures are valid and that different kinds of families are capable of kindness, education, protection, and, most important, fun. As their characters battle dragons and explore dinosaur territory and outer space, Peter and Parsons depict a protagonist who defies gender stereotypes and is capable of whatever passions they want to pursue. With the love, help, and support of their multiracial daddies, this charming character is ready to take on the world.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
An adoptee with light brown skin and dark curls narrates this rhyming tale, which follows the child and their two fathers, one with dark skin and the other white, as they embark on reading adventures together--exploring high fantasy, dinosaurs, astronauts, and more. Peter presents sprightly rhymes in the narrator's child-appropriate voice, relaying the family's bookish escapades before reaching the heart of the volume: "Books take us on these journeys/ over forest, sand, and sea./ But my daddies' favorite story is...// the one that brought them me!" Detailed acrylic and pencil illustrations by Parsons offer cheery, gently humorous accompaniments, notably a scrapbook spread of the child's journey to adoption and photos with their fathers and the family dog. An endearing bedtime read that will resonate with any family. Ages 4--8. (Apr.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A heartfelt celebration of family love. A young pigtailed protagonist and their two fathers are the stars of this picture-book adventure. In the illustrations, the dads, one White and one Black, share bedtime duty as they wrangle their child through a few stories and tub time, then finally to bed. And in the narration, the child, who is depicted with tan skin and brown hair, explains why they love their dads. The child's remarks include a glimpse into their adoption scrapbook, memories of a costume party, and examples of the small things the dads do to show their love. Educators and library workers will enjoy the book's easy read-aloud prose while caregivers will value the important message of family bonds. The illustrations are bright and friendly, packed with details that will especially reward lap readers; the family dog that's included in every scene makes for a delightful seek-and-find element. One detail that's not so delightful is an imagined scene with Orientalist tropes, including a turban on the White dad (the Black dad is dressed as a medieval European monarch). The story is simple and treads familiar ground, but it does so in such a tender way that readers will enjoy returning to it again and again. Those with pajama storytime programs and families looking for their next great bedtime read will find this book particularly useful. A sweet adventure. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
