Blue-Ribbon Dad

April 4, 2011
A young squirrel hustles to get a surprise ready before his father comes home. While working on an arts-and-crafts project that necessitates glue, glitter, sequins, stickers, and more, the squirrel reflects on everything his father does for him. "He always packs my favorite lunch,/ Then drives me right to school./ On Saturdays he stays to watch/ My lessons at the pool." Moore's delicately outlined watercolors mirror the coziness of the text. The squirrel's father is delighted, of course, with the blue ribbon he receives upon his return; readers don't have to go through nearly as much effort: a punch-out paper ribbon is included. Ages 3â7.

April 1, 2011

A celebration of a dad's return. A young squirrel announces to his mother, "My dad is coming home soon, / And with just five hours to go, / I'm planning for a big surprise. / He's the best dad I know!" Glass' sing-song text alternates between a countdown of the hours until father returns and detailed descriptions of all the wonderful things he and his dad do together. As the little squirrel industriously works on a surprise gift for daddy, watchful mother squirrel is nearby preparing a cake for the upcoming celebration. It all adds up to a warm portrait of a loving family that shares traditional activities at the pool, the barbershop and at home. Moore's soft, bright watercolor-and-ink illustrations help round out what is stated in the rhyming quatrains. At five o'clock sharp, dad is home to enjoy his family and be awarded, as per the title, a special glittered-and-glued blue ribbon. (A fun extra: Readers are invited to punch out the provided blue ribbon at the back of the book.) It's a little hard to tell whether this dad has been away on a trip or is just coming home from work, which keeps this book from packing much emotional punch. This sweet but not special title is fine to share for Father's Day or when a daddy is about to return from a trip. (Picture book. 3-5)

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May 1, 2011

PreS-Gr 2-In rhyming quatrains, a young squirrel prepares a surprise for his father. He gathers his tools: glue, glitter, pencils, and clay, working independently while nearby his mother prepares a cake. He counts down the hours until his father is due to return: "My dad is coming home soon, /And with two hours left I find/A golden sticker, big and bright./It's just the perfect kind." He completes a step of his project each hour as he reminisces about activities that his father engages in: "He always packs my favorite lunch, /Then drives me right to school./On Saturdays he stays to watch/My lessons at the pool." The youngster works steadily, and, at five o'clock, Dad comes home to a hug, a chocolate cake, and a handmade blue ribbon. The rhyming text and large illustrations are ideal for a read-aloud. The happy squirrel family is rendered in black pen and watercolors. Attentive readers will notice small details, such as a clock in the background on which to check the time. The book concludes with a blue ribbon to punch out as a gift. This is a good pick for celebrating fathers.-Laura Butler, Mount Laurel Library, NJ

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2011
Preschool-G Anticipating his dads arrival home from an office job, a young squirrel spends an afternoon creating a work of art for his very special dad while recounting the many wonderful things his dad does for him. He relishes the fact that his dad packs his lunch, drives him to school, helps with his homework, and so forth. Always close at hand is an unidentified apron-clad female, who might be the mother but could also be a babysitter (she does not participate in any of the daily activities the youngster lovingly describes). Throughout, soft pen-and-watercolor illustrations depict the cuddly squirrels in their nicely appointed home. No special occasion is indicated within the book, but with a punch-out blue ribbon to present the readers dad and a text that reads like an extended greeting card, this seems a slam dunk for Fathers Day. Charlotte Zolotows A Father like That (2007) covers much of the same territory, although it pictures humans in a situation where the father is absent.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)