With Dad, It's Like That

April 11, 2016
In a story first published in France, Clare’s father has his own way of doing things—one that involves “Bubbles and bathwater everywhere!” at bathtime and “Dessert instead of dinner” when the mashed potatoes come out lumpy. Brun-Cosme (the Big Wolf and Little Wolf books) and Le Huche (City Kitty Cat) embrace the familiar theme of the lovably hapless dad (“Dad,” Clare says often, “that’s not how Mom does it”), but with bedtime kisses and stories galore, it’s clear that this father’s methods have their own charms. Tender cartooning and lightly mischievous humor make this a pleasing tribute to fathers who are still kids at heart. Ages 4–8.

April 1, 2016
When Mom's away at the movies, Dad and daughter will play--or at least do things differently than Mom. Bathtime is first, but Dad doesn't do it quite right, and Clare feels free to tell him so: the water's a little cold, and her favorite toy is at the bottom. But Dad's way turns out to be fun, too, though a bit messy: the toy croc eats not just her toes, but her whole body. Next are pajamas and dinner, but they're inside out, the table's not set correctly, and the mashed potatoes are lumpy. Dad's solution? A cupcake for dinner. "I get dessert without eating dinner?" "With me, it's like that." Way to make Mom out to be the bad guy, Dad. But at bedtime (in a very messy room), Dad acquiesces to Clare's corrections and starts over reading more slowly so that Clare has time to look at the pictures. And with Dad, there are three bedtime kisses. Le Huche's illustrations, small on the pages, portray a white pair, Clare blonde and pink-cheeked and Dad a brunet who sports quite the five-o'clock shadow. In fact, the whiskers, when combined with the father's odd head shape, make him look like nothing more than a woodchuck when seen in profile. In addition, his facial expression can sometimes only be described as "huh?" Getting it wrong's not all bad. (Picture book. 4-8)

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June 1, 2016

PreS-Gr 1-Mom is out for the night, putting Dad in charge of bath, dinner, and bedtime. On each occasion Clare says, "Dad...That's not how Mom does it." At bath time and dinner, Dad opts for his own methods and replies, "With me, it's like that." At bedtime, though, Dad decides it's best to do it the way Mom does it...mostly. This book about a universal theme, translated from French, is set amid familiar home settings, offering actions and details sure to capture preschoolers' interest. As bedtime arrives, the energetic images are toned down with darkened colors, suggesting the calm of nighttime. The one-dimensional characters effectively present a rambunctious little girl and an accommodating dad. His unshaven face and neck give him a scruffy appearance, but it's obvious he's a loving father, even if he is a total newbie to his child's established routine. VERDICT A lively picture book recognizing the value of unique parental styles. An additional purchase for most collections.-Gaye Hinchliff, King County Library System, WA

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