Friday, February 28, 2014

Dad and Pop - Perfect Picture Book Friday #PPBF

      I wanted to love this book.
     And I was so happy when I did!
     If you're wondering why I didn't hold this review for Father's Day, I know, it isn't a new release, so I wasn't rushing it for that. It's simply that we don't do Perfect Picture Book reviews in the summer. And this book deserves some reader love. Put this one on your list.
    
Title: Dad and Pop
Author: Kelly Bennett
Illustrator: Paul Meisel
Publisher: Candlewick, 2010
FICTION
Intended Audience: 4-7
Themes: Step parents, family
Opening: "I have two fathers.
               I call this one Dad,
               and this one Pop.

Synopsis:  A girl describes how her two fathers are different. The reader learns that the girl's parents have divorced and remarried in the second set of spreads where she is a baby in a picture with Dad and a young girl standing next to a woman in a wedding dress with Pop. There is no judgmental approach in how the two fathers are different-just the facts. And they're alike in more than one important way.
Dad likes to fish. Pop is a fish.
What I liked about this book: I grew up in a step-family, and although it was the result of death and not divorce, I think step parents often get a bum rap. Granted the merger of two families isn't always the Brady Bunch. Families are all different. But blended families aren't complete disasters either. The tension that existed before a divorce or during a single parenting phase is tough, too. That's another thing I particularly liked in this book. There is no hint of hostility about the divorce. It just "is." While I'm sure there is a place for books that explore the conflicts that do arise in these situations, it's nice to see a totally upbeat book on the subject. This is a blended-family focused on providing loving support for each other. If you're looking for a story with conflict and resolution--you aren't going to find it here.

Activities and Resources: Ms. Bennet's author page has an activity pack to download with mazes and more fun. She also reads the book on her website (the author link above takes you to the page).
     When I check online, everyone from Dr. Phil to WebMD has weighed in on the subject of step parenting. I don't have the expert qualifications to tell which advice carries weight and which does not. I did find it interesting that the Kids Health site has a tab for information on the topic for parents AND a tab for kids to click on that brings up links like "living with step parents" and "what to do if my family fights."
     Read Dad and Pop and compare it to a book Julie Rowan-Zoch reviewed a few week's back: Mary Ann Hoberman's All Kinds of Families.
    
  This review is part of PPBF (perfect picture book Friday) where bloggers share great picture books at Susanna Leonard Hill's site. Along with tons of writing wisdom, she keeps an ever-growing list of Perfect Picture Books. #PPBF

21 comments:

  1. Wendy, what a wonderful recommendation. My husband will be so pleased that someone thought about Fathers before Father's Day. He always thought it was unfair that kids made Mother's Day gifts in school - but then school was always out when Father's Day rolled around. I really enjoy the sounds of this book. It reminded me of a line from the Brady Bunch. Little Bobby thinks his new mom doesn't like/love him because he's just a 'step.' She turns him around to the stairs and says, "You see those? Those are the only steps in this house." *sniff* Thanks for an upbeat recommendation.

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    1. Appreciate you stopping by, Laura! I'm happy to represent for the men today.

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  2. Some of the students in the course I took last fall were looking for good books with stories about step parents. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. It seems to be a category that could use a few more good books.

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  3. This sounds like a great addition to any library -- personal or public. Thanks for the recommendation.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by to check out my review, Rosi!

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  4. Oh, I am so happy to see a book like this showing how a child interacts with two dads. Such an important and common topic. With so many kinds of families today, we need more books like this. Great choice.

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    1. I'm glad you think so, Pat! The book is simple in structure, big on impact.

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  5. Super. I have seen so few on this topic. So glad it lived up to your expectations.

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    1. I am a hard woman to please! And this one made the grade. :)

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  6. I agree with you. It's nice to see a happy, positive, stress-free spin on step parents. Great choice.

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    1. Agreed. There's enough stress without making a to-do out of what is a family arrangement.

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  7. With so many blended families these days, we need more books like this. Thanks Wendy!

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    1. You're welcome, Kirsten! Have a great weekend.

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  8. I know a lot of kids with step parents. This sounds like a sweet and very helpful book!

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  9. Whooo Wendy, Thank you for pulling DAD AND POP from the pile and giving it a thoughtful read and review! Blended Families work when they work at it!

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    1. Wow! Thank YOU for stopping in. You wrote the thoughtful words that made the review such a delight to do. I love finding book gems in the stacks. And I think all families have to work at it. It's a big bell curve out there.

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  10. I know lots of blended families for a variety of reasons. I like how you describe this one.

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    1. Agreed, Stacy. Life situations change and kids have to go along with the flow.

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  11. I'll look at anything Meisel worked on, but you're review intrigues on it's own! Thanks!

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