My Dad

by Anthony Browne

Book Overview

From the 2000 Hans Christian Andersen Medalist In an endearing homage to dads everywhere, a boy describes -- and exaggerates -- the many accomplishments and feats of his father. Among the traits... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0374351015
• Release Date: April 2001
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.8" x 0.5" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Just buy it

Some things in life are best kept simple. This book does it. For any son that loves his father (uh...provided they are under the age of 10)

fantastic book

My grandson lives a long ways from me. He spent a couple weeks w/me while his parents went on vacation. We read this book every night and he loved it so that he could finish all the sentences on the pages. When he went back home, he could talk w/me on the phone and I'd start the sentence and he would finish it. It made a great bond for us and somehow made the miles seem shorter. He's only 1 1/2 years old and I miss so much. Maybe thru this book he won't forget me!

can do anything!

From the inside covers to Dad's robe to toast popping out of the toaster to showing the Big Bad Wolf the door & walking a tightrope to wrestling giants; to eating like a horse & swimming like a fish; to being as big as a house & as soft of a teddy bear, to singing brilliantly & being as wise as an owl - everything matches Dad's plaid robe, blue striped pjs & red comfy slippers.With a smile on every page - this is a book forever - about respecting & loving, admiring & encouraging the Dads of this world to unite & win over their children's hearts.Lovely, lovely book & oh, so true! A charming keeper!

Strong Similes and Brilliant Illustrations Illuminate Father

Children often see their fathers as unstoppable heroes. This book makes that case. One of the best ways to inspire a father to become even better in that role is to describe him in heroic ways. Fathers almost never see themselves in a suit of armor. But fathers will gladly wear the plating for a child, and love every moment of it. Mom or grandparents can create a lot of happiness for a father and his children by giving this book to preschoolers. Although the book is aged older by the publisher, I think it will work best for 2-5 year olds. The winning words of the text are made into brilliant images by the illustrations that take the words into a playful world of "what if." Fathers will take heart from the way their heroism is portrayed. They get to look like themselves part of the time, in bathrobe and exaggerated smiles. When the book says that they can jump over the moon, the illustration makes it clear that this is an optical illusion helped by having the moon be low on the horizon and the father being close to the viewer. A father also becomes as big as a house (not fat, mind you) by standing very close, again, to the viewer. But there are magical moments, when father is transformed into anthropomorphic animals wearing remnants of his normal attire. These are hilarious. I especially liked the one where dad is "as happy as a hippopotamus." The text does have a few places where real accomplishments are needed. "He can . . . win the father's race on sports day, easily." "My dad's a great dancer, and a ballet singer." "He's fantastic at soccer . . . ." Fathers, don't be threatened by this! After all, the perspective is that of a preschooler, and you can do great things in all of those dimensions!My favorite part of the book was the end when the child says, "I love my dad, And you know what? HE LOVE ME! (And he always will.)" This comes accompanied by a beautiful illustration of a father-child hug. Ah. You can make this an even more special Father's Day by including more items in the book that exemplify how your child thinks her or his dad is special. If your child will make some illustrations to go with those examples, you can touch even more heart strings and make the beautiful music of familial love. Then present these drawings inside the book, as a combined gift from Mom or grandparents and the children. "He's all right, my dad." Happy Father's Day!

Every Dad Should Read This Book!

When my husband read this book to our 5 month old son for the first time, tears welled in his eyes and he said "I love being a Dad so much!"Kids and adults alike will relate to many if not all of the situations a Dad can overcome in this book. Lots of discussion and imagination stretching can be had after reading each page in this beautifully presented text. The quirky illustrations with the everpresent plaid dressing gown in every picture make for an entertaining book for all ages.My Dad makes a great gift for any child who loves Dad and any Dad who adores his child.