Father's Day Thank You

March 1, 2007
PreS-Gr 2-Harvey's three siblings have firm ideas of what constitutes perfect gifts for their dad (after all, they give him the same things every year and he responds with, "I can always use more]"). The poor little cub is clueless, but then he comes up with the best gift of alldrawings that show all of the meaningful ways that his father has helped and supported him. This focus on innocence creates an underlying message that may be too sophisticated for preschool audiences without discussion. The father is shown as a loving, sensible man who appreciates every attempt that his children make to please him. The illustrations are bright and expressive, and the rooms in the bears' cozy house are filled with homey details. An endearing story that will charm readers."Kathleen Pavin, Purdy Elementary School Library, Fort Atkinson, WI"

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2007
Harvey doesnt know what to get his dad for Fathers Day. He asks his older siblings, who come up with the usual items (ties, a box of nails, golf balls). During the day, Harvey suffers small traumas (a fall and a flat tire on his bike), and his dad is there to help him. Then comes bedtime, and Dad reads Harvey a story. Harvey wakes up in the middle of the night with an idea for the perfect gift: a drawing recapping all of the great things his dad did for him the day before. Ember elevates the cuddly factor by depicting the family members as clothed bears in settings and situations kids will recognize. Nolan and Ember arent breaking new ground here, but librarians seeking simple Fathers Day stories for their collections might find what theyre looking for here.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)