Books Make Time For Dad

The News Tribune

Every dad has his day. Sunday it is. A bike ride, ice cream cones and a couple of great new children's books will make it perfection.

"When Papa Comes Home Tonight," by Eileen Spinelli, at long last provides a lovely companion book for "When Mama Comes Home Tonight," which Spinelli published in 1998.

With cheerful illustrations by David McPhail, the story describes in the father's voice the things he and his son will do when he gets home from work: "I promise -- not too late."

In lilting rhyme, the evening progresses from a joyous greeting to dinner preparations.

"I'll let you help me cook. We'll try that recipe for rice. It's in the yellow book."

After cleanup, there's wild fun and time to work on a broken wagon.

Then it's time for bed and a story, with a scene that parents will relate to: "Before it ends I'll doze. You'll tap me on the shoulder. I'll kiss you on the nose." The picture shows Dad nodding off, open-mouthed.

With words and pictures, the love between father and son radiates. Papa stays up late to make a kite for a morning surprise.

"Grizzly Dad," by Joanna Harrison, is a funny tale with lively illustrations. It starts off with a father who wakes up in a "Grrrrizzly mood!" No wonder. The alarm clock is blaring. He has a cat on his head, two kids fighting on his back and a toddler poking a finger into his nose.

He's so grouchy all day, he eventually morphs into an actual grizzly bear.

The eldest son realizes that having a grizzly for a dad isn't scary; it's a blast. They spend a terrific day together that ends in -- what else -- a bear hug.

There's a fun surprise ending after Dad has turned back into himself and Mom declares the house "a pigsty."

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