Grizzly Dad (by Joanna Harrison)

A grumpy dad wakes up, turns into a grizzly bear, and spends an exciting day with his son. Not only do they drive to town in a zippy little red car and go to the movies, they also have fun doing bear things, like climbing trees and eating honey sandwiches. They leave the house looking like a pig sty, but luckily the dad does turn back into his real self before the rest of the family gets home; well, that is, except for the curly pig tails he and his son sport as they head off to clean up the mess.

Kids and dads will have fun with this book, GRUMPING when the grouchy dad wakes, GROWLING with the grizzly-dad, and acting out just how AWFUL bad table manners can be. It's all that sort of Dad-and-kid play that includes tumbling around and trying to wrestle each other off the bed. But there are also moments of sweetness when the boy teaches the dad to skateboard and the grizzly bear-dad teaches the boy to climb a tree and scratch his back. Then, as they both walk away, holding a broom and pail, and each other's hand, the reader knows that cleaning up is going to be just one more bonding moment of fun.

The text, which is simple and playful, is dotted with possible loud and growly sound effects that make this a perfect read-aloud book. And the softly-toned illustrations add a tender quality that is chock full of loving bear hugs, just right for Dad.