Showcasing fathers as primary caregivers, this picture book offers lots of cute photos of dads interacting with their children in ways that would have once been seen as nontraditional: cooking, making ponytails, potty-training. However, since the text mostly focuses on a dad narrator wondering what the child thinks of him, the end result feels like a wordy, sentimental Father's Day card. (c) Copyright 2017. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

PreS-Gr 2-Richards offers readers a contemporary and honest portrait of fatherhood in this new picture book, created with "real" fathers in mind. Richards has compiled his own website's (http://daddydoinwork.com/) email subscribers' personal photos and designed his book around a selection of fan submissions. Surrounded by bold and eye-catching color blocks, each page reveals a photo of a father and his child(ren) that candidly captures moments of adventure, moments of "nothing at all," and moments where fathers wonder what their children think about their own decisions, practices, and abilities. Next to a photo of a father and his daughter dressed up in costume, the text reads, "I wonder if you like my silly voices when I read to you," with the explanation that "I do it because I want you to use your imagination to know that anything can come to life as long as you want it to." The combination of simple yet purposeful text, coupled with photos of "dads being dads," conveys an image of fathers as partners, companions, motivators, and supporters. VERDICT A tribute to and a celebration of "Daddies Doin' Work" all over the globe who might wonder about their roles and images as parents.-Brianne Colombo, Pequannock Township Public Library, NJ © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Well-known blogger and speaker Richards turns his attention to the picture-book set with this photo-heavy title about fathers and their children. Big, full-color photos show dads of all shapes, sizes, and ethnicities playing with their kids; helping them get dressed or use the potty; and providing a helping hand on the playground, in the kitchen, or in the pool. Accompanying each photo is a sweet first-person statement, many of which express questions about fatherhood: I wonder if you enjoy seeing me work my magic in the kitchen or I wonder if you're scared when I ask you to try new things. Though it is certainly a nice change to see pictures of dads being affectionate and participating in parenting more than is usually depicted in pop culture, the statements sometimes seem geared more toward validating fathers than engaging the kid audience. That said, however, little ones will probably like seeing pictures of kids just like them, and the emphasis on dads being active, involved parents is refreshing.--Willey, Paula Copyright 2016 Booklist

Writing in the voice of a parent expressing his hopes for his child, author and Daddy Doin' Work blogger Richards strikes an affecting balance between insecurity and strength. Photographs-collected from Richards's Instagram followers-show a diverse range of fathers and children spending time together: snowboarding, cooking, swimming, and even providing a patient potty-training audience. "I wonder if you think I'm being too hard on you when I tell you to never give up," reads a typical entry. "I do it because I know you have the toughness within you to do anything." Dads (and kids) of all types should find Richards's message deeply reassuring and relatable. Ages 3-5. Agent: Frances Black, Literary Counsel. (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.