What Dads Can't Do
Wood's (Old Turtle) refreshing, spontaneous tale spotlights the rapport between a patient, apparently single father and his all-knowing child. The child narrator, like his dad a green dino in human clothing, shares his insights into the things "that regular people can do but dads can't." Perceptive kids will see that this father is both safety-conscious and one very good sportDand most well-loved kids will nod in recognition as they read how dads "can't cross the street without holding hands" and "can't pitch a baseball very hard or hit one very far." Cushman's (the Aunt Eater mysteries) equally wry watercolor and pen-and-ink art cagily picks up where the narrative leaves off: he illustrates the statement "Dads aren't good at sleeping late" with an image of the youngster pulling the covers off his father while the bedside clock reads 5:05; the father is shown purchasing a toy robot as his son accuses dads of having "trouble holding onto their money"; and at bedtime, the child fearfully pulls his blanket up to his eyes as he notes that dads "like to check under the bed for monsters." This tongue-in-cheek tale ends on a forgivably sugary note: "Most of all, whatever happens, a dad never stops loving you." Just the right blend of sassiness and sentiment. Ages 3-8. (May)Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.