Hammer and Nails

April 11, 2016
When a friend cancels on Darcy, her father proposes a “Darcy-Daddy Day,” filled with activities from both of their to-do lists. After coffee and chocolate milk, it’s time to don a tutu (for Daddy) and a princess gown (for Darcy), followed by lawn mowing, laundry fights, and makeovers that include “totally fabulous” hairstyles and manicures. “Daddy, sometimes things you’ve never done end up being fun,” says Darcy, using the same line Daddy used on her before they took hammers to a fence’s loose boards. Newcomer Bledsoe creates a humorous and relatable portrait of compromise and familial affection, while Warrick’s watercolors strike a lovely balance between burliness and daintiness. Ages 5–7.

April 1, 2016
When Darcy's best friend cancels their play date due to illness, her dad saves the day in style. Darcy-Daddy Day entails doing one item from Daddy's list followed by one item from Darcy's, until both lists are done. Darcy isn't sure about this plan, but Daddy is game, jumping in with both feet to humor his princess: when it's Dress Up time, he asks, "Were you thinking fancy or super fancy?" And the result is Daddy sporting jeans, a plaid shirt, and a pink tutu. Before the day is done, he also finds himself in a headband and with black nail polish, having mastered manicures. But he's not the only one to try new things. Darcy mows the lawn (actually, she rides on the mower while dad mows her name in the grass), does laundry (aka a sock fight and matching socks), and, biggest accomplishment of all, hammers nails in the fence that protects her castle. " 'You were great with that hammer.' // 'And Daddy--you were great with these nails.' " Warrick's watercolor and digital paint illustrations marvelously play up the dichotomy between the burly, tutu-clad white dad and his girly, white daughter, purse full of tools over her shoulder and tiara on her head. And these chores are certainly ones that readers will want to emulate. Kudos to this dad for not only making chores fun and making the most of time with his daughter, but for meeting her on her level. (Picture book. 4-8)

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July 1, 2016

PreS-Gr 2-Celebrating the bond between an exuberant father and his young daughter, Bledsoe presents a warmhearted picture book about an unusual day the two spend together combining what both like best. When Darcy's friend cancels their plans, her dad attempts to mend the situation by suggesting a "Darcy-Daddy Day." First, coffee time for Daddy is suitably matched with chocolate milk time for Darcy, followed by a special dress-up that inspires Daddy to wear a frilly pink tutu. Another activity transforms the drudgery of straightforward grass-cutting into "Her Majesty's Mowing Service," resulting in Darcy's name being cut in big block letters on the backyard lawn. This is later followed by hammering the fence (which Darcy gets the hang of after a few practice taps) and a manicure (Lumberjack Black for Dad). While the relationship between a father and daughter can be special, Bledsoe presents the atypical premise of what it means to compromise the radically different interests of both. Warrick's expressive full-color illustrations perfectly express this theme in a comical way. Big Daddy, for instance, is represented as a brawny he-man and yet is willing to look silly in a tutu for his "princess." Further, he forgoes the practical task of washing and folding laundry by playing a messy game of throw and catch the socks with his daughter. Darcy is also willing to help with the household chores given a little guidance. There are fewer stories about the father-daughter relationship than the mother-daughter one, making this book an especially unique find ideal for sharing. The concept of compromise is as worthwhile as the idea that "sometimes things you've never done end up being fun." VERDICT A unique picture book that is best shared by a father and daughter and is well worth being read more than once.-Etta Anton, Yeshiva of Central Queens, NY

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