The Daddy Book

Whether they're working at home or working far away, teaching you how to walk or how to ride a skateboard, wearing suits or wearing two different socks, daddies can be pretty cool. With childlike smiling stick figures, bold, brilliant color, and upbeat text, picture-book creator Todd Parr celebrates the diverse, wonderful world of fathers in The Daddy Book. As in his Mommy Book, Parr focuses on the differences between individual parents ("Some daddies make cookies. Some daddies stop for doughnuts."), but brings it all together every few pages with lines like, "All daddies love to kiss and hug you!" or "All daddies like to watch you sleep!" Parr's quirky artwork and eternally optimistic--yet never saccharine--books are truly irresistible, for both grownups and kids. Don't miss any of his friendly, esteem-boosting titles: The Best Friends Book, It's Okay to Be Different, Underwear Do's and Don'ts, and lots more. (Ages 3 to 6) --Emilie Coulter