Dad and Pop
By Patricia Tauzer,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Celebrates a girl's relationship with her dad and stepdad.
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Based on 1 parent review
Excellent for kids in blended families
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What's the Story?
A little girl shows how her father and stepfather (one called Dad, the other Pop) are very different from one another, not only in how they look and act but in what they do when they are together with her. However, the two dads are very much the same in one thing...and that is just how much they both love her.
Is It Any Good?
The message is
positive, inclusive, and inspirational though this blended family
situation is a bit simpler than most. Except for one wedding photo, the
mother only appears incidentally as she peeks out of the tent, and the
girl has no other siblings to complicate things.The tone and basic message of this story should be an inspiration to blended families, especially to the dads. In every scene, the little girl (and one of her fathers) seem happy as they swim, fish, work in the yard, paint and so on. They are doing things differently, but the joy is the same. Life is pretty uncomplicated; this is just about the little girl and her dads.
The story doesn't address any of the other issues that might make blending families difficult, but it does teach that blending can work if love and caring are the bottom line. The illustrations are soft and pleasant, and they do an excellent job of bringing out that essential point.
Cute, simple illustrations are done in watercolors, acrylic, and pastels that nearly burst with the joy of a father and daughter enjoying life together. Dad's pictures fill the page, while Pop's are bordered with a bit of white space...just another little touch to drive home the point of the book. Short phrases in strong black lettering deliver the story.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about blended families.The little girl starts off by saying that she has "two fathers." What does she mean? Find all the ways the dads are different, and then ways they are the same. How does the little girl feel about her two fathers? How can you tell?
The little girl calls one of her fathers Dad, and the other Pop. What do you call your father, or fathers if you have more than one? What are your favorite things to do together?
Book Details
- Author: Kelly Bennett
- Illustrator: Paul Meisel
- Genre: Family Life
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Candlewick Press
- Publication date: April 27, 2010
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 7
- Number of pages: 40
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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