You and Me, Me and You

April 24, 2017
In a pensive reflection on father-son communication, a boy contemplates his effect on his father. “I ask you the most difficult questions,” says the child as the two pass a stray dog. At bedtime, the child offers his father “the chance to tell stories,” and when they’re navigating a thorny traffic situation on a bike, the boy reminds his elder to “choose words with care.” Tanco captures each scene in minimalistic pen-and-ink artwork accented with yellow, and the father and child’s meaningful interactions delicately suggest that, in parenting, listening and learning go both ways. Ages 3–5. Agent: Debbie Bibo.

April 1, 2017
In perfect pairings, Tanco's spare illustrations combine with brief text to show all the joys and wonders children introduce to their parents' lives."I take you to places you've never seen..." shows the duo in their almost-empty living room, each in a separate cardboard box with a broom oar, colanders perched atop their heads, lost to imaginative play. With the turn of the page, "and get wet with you in the rain" pictures the two as the only bright spots of color amid a street lined with barely seen faces underneath stark black umbrellas. The father is gently smiling as he folds his umbrella, the yellow-slicker-clad child joyously dancing in a puddle. Especially appealing is the lesson on how to slow down: the two sit on the grass in a park watching a line of ants. The illustration choices have a definitely quirky European aesthetic, the scenes incorporating some Old World charm around the skinny, superelongated figures. Done in what appears to be pen and ink, pops of orange and yellow enliven the scenes and focus readers' attention. The child is blond, the father dark-haired; both are paper-white. While readers may see a male pair, the pictures are fairly open, and these lessons could apply to any adult-child combination.A charming reminder to stop and smell the roses with a child. (Picture book. 3-6)

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May 1, 2017

PreS-Gr 1-Told from the point of view of a young boy, this short and simple tale perfectly illustrates a father and son's busy day as they convert boxes and brooms into a kayak fishing adventure, then build forts with books. This title demonstrates the creative exploration that comes naturally to a child. Pencil drawings shaded in with sporadic splashes of bright yellow complement the text, which imparts the simple message that adults may benefit from slowing down the busy pace of life to jump in a puddle or two. Through the story and visuals, Tanco conveys a genuine bond between parent and child. VERDICT An additional purchase for picture book collections; this would also be an excellent keepsake gift for dads.-Kristen Todd-Wurm, Middle Country Public Library, NY

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