Zagazoo

Zagazoo

Quentin Blake 1998

Quentin Blake's messy, wild illustrations are brilliant in this story about a couple who get an unexpected parcel.  Inside is a "little pink creature as pretty as could be" who gradually changes into some unexpected things with some hilarious results.  The very end is particularly delightful and after reading it to Charlotte (yes, she's 16 and we still read picture books together!) I went to read it to my husband (giving him a quaint reprieve from work.). Then when Madeleine came over I had her read it too!  She was particularly ticked with the ending.   This is one that would be a great gift to new parents.

What Mary Jo Shared

Happy Father's Day!

What Mary Jo Shared

Janice May Udry

pictures by Eleanor Mill 1966

I really like this old Scholastic book about a shy little girl who wants to pick something special to share with her class.  It's cute because she decides to bring her dad in and all of the other children are excited to ask him questions and hear about his own stories of being a little boy. 

If You Listen

A Father's Day post for those with fathers far away...

If You Listen

Charlotte Zolotow

illustrations by Marc Simont 1980

Charlotte Zolotow's gentle story is about a little girl who misses her father.  We are never told why her father is away or where he is, but we are comforted along with the little girl by the words of her mother.

The little girl's father had been away a long time.

"How do you know if someone far away is loving you?" she asked.

"Do you mean your father?" her mother said, smiling.

"Yes," said the little girl.  "If I can't see him, or hear him, or feel his hugs, how can I know he loves me when he isn't here?"

The little girl's mother tells her that when she is lonely she has to stop and listen...for the church bells that she can hear but not see, for the apple in the orchard that falls onto the ground, for the rustle of birds, for a train far away...

"If you listen hard you'll feel someone far away sending love to you."

(Amazon is selling a newer version with a different illustrator.  In my opinion Marc Simont's soft pictures from our copy enhance the story perfectly.)

The Daddy Book

The Daddy Book

Robert Stewart

pictures by Don Madden 1972

 What better way to celebrate Father's Day than with The Daddy Book!  This little treasure was recently found at the thrift store and who could resist these great 1970's illustrations!

It's an homage to dads that come in all shapes and sizes, have all sorts of different hobbies, do all kinds of different chores, and have all kinds of different careers.  Not only are the clothes and pictures fabulous (seriously the neckties and striped trousers are the best!) but there's all sorts of diversity- dads that come in different ethnicities and even do household chores.  Definitely more progressive than some of the vintage dad books we have from the 1950's!