Otter-Barry Books ISBN 9781910959138 £11.99
Another book celebrating all that is good, positive and loving about a father/child relationship. The narrative outlines the daily routine of a father and small daughter when Daddy is in charge. Whether he is a single dad and always in charge or just perhaps very competent in taking a fair share is not explained, nor needs to be. The narrative is over-laid with the small daughter’s imaginative interpretation of her father’s actions throughout their day, comparing him with appropriate animals: in the morning he is a great big bear, grizzling and grouching and scratching and yawning; cleaning teeth is evocative of a crocodile; the breakfast routine sees a rather unsuccessful multitasking dad as an octopus; at the end of the day, exhausted dad is simply lovely as he and his daughter snuggle up together. The end piece depicts a rather wistful-looking dad, still with the remains of the day’s activities about him, and that pair of socks waiting to be picked up and laundered. The text is not set out in a linear fashion, but ducks and dives and weaves around the delightful illustrations for added impact. Alliteration and the occasional rhyme enhance the whole and make for a memorable text that small children will rapidly master and echo. The whole is an excellent evocation from both the adult and child perspective and offers multiple opportunities for young children to explore a very familiar aspect of their world. A worthwhile addition to the EYFS library.
Elizabeth Broad, Former Head of Primary ITT, University of Roehampton and UKLA National Council
