Pop's Perfect Present

March 24, 2023

K-Gr 3-A young girl decides she wants to give her father a present, but, "It had to be awesome and perfect. Like him." She decides that the best present would be to plan the perfect day where the two of them do something that her dad loves. They try fishing, playing baseball, making chili, writing music, riding bikes, and flying kites, but nothing goes the way she wants. She feels "abashed and ashamed" that the day is a failure. Of course, her Pop explains that getting to do all of these things with her that day made it "the best one that I've ever had!" The story is sweet, has adorable illustrations, and communicates a nice lesson for dads and children. The mother does not appear in the text or the illustrations, which is a welcome variation that will allow children who live with their fathers or who split time between parents to relate to the child-father relationship in the story. The main character has blonde hair, large purple glasses, and freckles; her father and other people depicted reflect a diverse community. VERDICT Children will be drawn to the rhyming text, and the illustrations create an environment that most students will be able to connect with; however, the book's theme lacks uniqueness or significance. A "like to have" title rather than a "must-have" one.-Peggy Henderson Murphy

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2023
A rhyming recounting of a child's efforts to coordinate a day of fun with her dad. A light-skinned young girl introduces her brown-skinned dad as "the best," adding that "when somebody meets him, they're always impressed." An image of Pop balancing a cellphone between ear and shoulder while shopping bags topple to the sidewalk suggests that the narrator might just have an idealized view of her father. As the narrator describes how Pop helps with homework and bandages her scrapes, the visuals show him flailing but always doing his best. The child wants to thank Pop, so she plans a day filled with fun, but nothing goes right. They go fishing but don't catch anything; their baseball game ends when the child can't hit a single ball; and their attempt at forming a band falls flat. The child is dejected, but Pop reassures her that he's enjoyed every minute, because "I got to do all this with YOU!" Softly edged illustrations in bright, warm tones evoke the gentle joy of the relationship. Much like Oge Mora's Saturday (2019), this tender tale makes clear spending time together is what matters most--not how many home runs or high notes you hit. This can be a hard lesson to pick up, so another picture book with this message is most welcome, especially one centering a loving father-daughter relationship. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A much-needed reminder to embrace the imperfections. (Picture book. 4-7)

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