Girl Dad

What is a "girl dad"? Williams, CEO of the Dad Gang, offers a definition with rhythmic prose: "He's not afraid to be en pointe/ or to paint your fingernails.// He volunteers to do your makeup/ your braids, and your ponytails!" The text goes on to present a father figure who is both "serious and tough" and keen to help "you keep your standards high," but also comfortable wearing a pink bow, and as happy to play dollhouse as baseball. Pencil, gouache, and digital illustrations by Davis largely key to the text, and alternately feature three brown-skinned "daddy-daughter" pairs swimming, dancing, picnicking, shopping, and more. Together, text and art build to a fatherly portrait that simultaneously embraces and expands upon traditional dad tropes, yielding a cheerful celebration: "Above and beyond, that's where he'll go/ to give you the whole wide world./ To the moon and back, then back again--/ anything for baby girl!" Ages 4-8. (Mar.)

PreS-Gr 2--What does the world need to know about girl dads? That they love hanging out with their daughters. When the term first appeared on Twitter (#GirlDad), it quickly gained traction as celebrity and noncelebrity fathers posted about their experiences. This story follows three fictional men of color as they interact with their daughters. Depicted with a light and humorous touch, these dads not only fix boo-boos and wipe away tears, they also know how to style hair, paint a bright unicorn, and throw a tea party. The basic rhyming text provides examples of other shared activities: "He plans the best daddy-daughter dates. He picks your favorite flower. He lets you make your own decisions and show off your girl power." Girl dads have no problem expressing a softer side, including posing en pointe and sporting a hair bow. In one delightful illustration, the three dads stand together on the sidelines mirroring their daughters' moves at a dance recital. Skewing toward the pink and sparkly, this book features very few descriptions of nontraditional gender roles for the three girls, who never quite emerge as distinct characters. VERDICT The joy of spending time together takes center stage in this sweet and trend worthy celebration of proud dads who love and support their daughters. Include in any collection about strong and diverse families.--Jenny Andrus