Because I'm Your Dad

K-Gr 1--Zappa presents a daddy monster who tickles, plays games, plans fun-filled excursions, and offers spaghetti for breakfast and ice cream in the tub. He evinces a generally goofy persona that allows for plenty of mud and burping along with cuddles and care. Young children will probably giggle and warm up to the monster dad, who appears more silly than scary in Santat's exuberant illustrations. However, there isn't much story line beyond the list of pledges that the grown-up makes to his child, based, as he explains in the end, on the parenting he himself received. And while the family depicted seems recognizable, it is familiar in a stereotypical TV sitcom kind of way. Purchase if there is a need for additional tributes to dads.--Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

A rowdy catalogue of Dad moments gets enacted by a creature who resembles a green '60s-era Nauga monster and his purple (gender-neutral) offspring, in this picture book from the son of the late Frank Zappa (and a father himself). It quickly becomes clear that this dad is all about noise, mischief, and good times: "Because I'm your dad, I'm going to teach you how to burp like a champion, " writes Zappa as parent and child deliver toothy, wide-mouthed belches; other escapades include rocky road ice cream baths, rocking out on drums, missing school for trips to New York City and Australia, and "sometimes stay up late with me to watch TV." Throughout, Zappa and Santat maintain an entertaining balance between sweet and goofy, protective and raucous. Ages 1 5. Author's agents: Jody Hotchkiss, Hotchkiss and Associates, and Brenda Bowen, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. Illustrator's agent: Jodi Reamer, Writers House. (Apr.) Copyright 2013 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.