From Amazon.com
Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli's first picture book stars a flop-eared young pup who loves to spend time with his father when he gets home from work. Little wonder! Dad has plenty of energy at day's end for playing the harmonica, wrestling, planting tomatoes, making gingerbread men, and even for household chores: "When the house breaks,/ we have to fix it./ My job is to carry/ the toolbox/ and hand Daddy the hammer./ He says I'm his best helper." On the rare occasion, his dad is too pooped to play: "But never, ever is my daddy too tired/ to sing me a lullaby/ when it's time/ for bed." Seymour Chwast's thickly textured, color-saturated paintings of the goofy dog pair render the affectionate father-son bond tangible. Young children will surely be comforted by this warm, simple tribute to Dadkind. (Preschool)
--Karin Snelson
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2-Spinelli's first picture book tells a simple, warm story of the activities shared between a canine and his offspring. The tale opens with the pup anxiously awaiting his father's return from work and anticipating all the things they'll do together. When Daddy arrives, briefcase in hand and newspaper under arm, he swings his son onto his shoulders, and then lets him pretend to drive the car to Kalamazoo, right there in the driveway. The two wrestle on the living room floor, make cookies, plant tomatoes, and work around the house. And at the end of the day, no matter how worn out Daddy is, he's never too tired to sing the youngster a lullaby. This father is just about as close to perfect as a child could imagine. The childlike art and the bright palette make the yard and house seem quite homey, with squares, stripes, and checkerboard motifs on furnishings and walls lending textural detail to the large paintings. An appealing read-aloud.
Leslie Barban, Richland County Public Library, Columbia, SCCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
