Saturday with Daddy: A Picture Book

by Dan Andreasen, Dan Andreasen (Illustrator)

Overview

A young elephant and his Daddy spend Saturday running errands, sipping lemonade, and having a cookout. The charming art and simple story make this a perfect summertime book for fathers and their preschoolers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781466844414
Publisher:	Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication date:	05/07/2013
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	24
File size:	26 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

Dan Andreasen has illustrated more than twenty-five books for children, including The Treasure Bath, A Baker's Dozen, and Firebears: The Rescue Team. Dan lives in Medina, Ohio, with his family.

Dan Andreasen is the illustrator of more than fifty books for young readers, including Firebears: The Rescue Team, and he's written and illustrated several of his own, including With a Little Help from Daddy. He lives with his family in Medina, Ohio.

Editorial Reviews

A cheerful blue elephant and his father—they look as though they are made out of chunky, glossy plastic—spend a special Saturday together. The child carefully and excitedly documents each activity: “We buy marshmallows and hot dogs and a great big bag of charcoal. We’re going to have a cookout!” After assembling the grill and cooking lunch, marshmallow roasting and a game of Frisbee follow (“I try to catch it but mostly I miss”), and then it’s naptime in a nearby hammock. Working in oil and painting in a bright, summery palette, Andreasen makes the two elephant characters the focus of every scene, emphasizing the significance of creating childhood memories with a loved one—even if it’s as simple as planning a special meal. Ages 3–7. Agent: Shannon Associates. (May)

Publishers Weekly

Straightforward, matter-of-fact sentences and oil illustrations effectively capture the family's day. Youngsters will enjoy snuggling up with their dads to share this one.” —School Library Journal

“Adorable.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Andreasen's bright illustrations pop from the page and do a great job of telling the story.” —School Library Journal on The Treasure Bath

“The star here is the oil paint on gessoed illustration board art, done in charming retro style.” —School Library Journal on The Baker's Dozen

“The illustrations . . . have a retro, naïve '50s look and add a light touch to the seriousness of the firefighters' duties.” —School Library Journal on Firebears

From the Publisher

PreS-K—A little blue elephant and his dad spend Saturday morning running errands and preparing for a barbecue. They shop, assemble a grill, and cook together in their matching aprons. After lunch, they play in the yard, and then nap on a hammock. The mother makes several appearances throughout the day, but this title is a celebration of time spent with Daddy. Straightforward, matter-of-fact sentences and oil illustrations effectively capture the family's day. Youngsters will enjoy snuggling up with their dads to share this one.—Laura Hunter, Mount Laurel Library, NJ

School Library Journal

This slice-of-life tale about a bright blue anthropomorphized elephant family is pleasant but fails to excite. Saturday is the day that a perky young pachyderm spends with his dad. Clear but pedestrian language recounts each activity the two engage in throughout the day: "After breakfast we get dressed. Then Daddy and I hop in the car and head to Mr. Patel's market. / We sing along to our favorite songs on the radio." They get the supplies for a cookout, work together to build a grill, enjoy a meal in the backyard--even after spilling some lemonade--toss a Frisbee and finally "pile into the big hammock" for a nap. While Andreasen's illustrations are cheery and vibrant, the text rarely succeeds in conveying the quiet joys father and child have as they go about their suburban activities. Preschoolers will enjoy seeing the young elephant helping out and participating in some fun on every page--the pair is adorable in their matching orange aprons--but although well-intentioned, this title remains flat and forgettable. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews