My son has a short but sweet truck picture book phase when he was in preschool at age 4. This would be a lovely picture book to gift to dads for Father’s Day bedtime reading. Parental fatherly trucks teach their kids both life lessons and how to work the truck equipment.
Bulldozer Strong
shows Dozy right from wrong
They go
roar,
roar,
roar!
About the Book
Title: Mighty Dads | Author: Joan Holub | Illustrator: James Dean| Publication Date: April 29, 2014 | Publisher: Scholastic | Pages: 40 | Recommended Ages: 3+
Summary: A new constructacular picture book from the New York Times bestselling creator of Pete the Cat, James Dean and bestselling author, Joan Holub.
Mighty dads, strong and tall,
help their children, young and small.
They keep them safe and bolted tight
and show them how to build things right.
Inventively told through James Dean’s colorful construction vehicle characters, MIGHTY DADS is an adoring dedication to hardworking fathers and the subtle ways they teach their boys and girls to follow in their tracks. The Dump Trucks learn to get dirty. Crane keeps his little one safe from harm. The busy Cement Mixer gives his daughter a hug. The Forklift cheers his son on.
A surprising and touching view of a father’s love for his children, MIGHTY DADS is the perfect way to say: I’m proud of you!
Book Trailer
Purchase
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository (free worldwide delivery)
Also available at Walmart, Target, and Barnes & Noble stores.
The Buzz
“Like the best 21st-century human dads, the vehicles don’t just show their kids the ropes—they also offer plenty of TLC (“Cement Mixer Busy/ gives a hug if Mixie’s dizzy”) and affirmation (“Forklift Wise/ cheers whenever Forky tries”). Dean’s decision to anthropomorphize the construction equipment solely through a highly stylized, often single, forward-facing eye takes some getting used to—imagine a cross between the Eye of Providence on the dollar bill and a Egyptian hieroglyph. But his construction sign–inspired palette and ability to convey calm, steady affection between parent and progeny quickly outweighs this visual idiosyncrasy, making this a book worthy of any young armchair foreman.” ~ Publisher’s Weekly
“This will make a good read aloud for those looking to update their trucks/machines storytimes.” ~ Goodreads Review
“The simple rhyming text will be fun at read alouds as children can do motions (roll, roll, roll or smooth, smooth, smooth)” ~ Goodreads Review
About the Author: Joan Holub
Joan Holub is co-author of the best-selling Goddess Girls series, the Grimmtastic Girls series, and the Heroes in Training series. Her picture book Little Red Writing received three starred reviews and has been named to many Best-of lists. Her mighty cool dad inspired the creation of the picture book, Mighty Dads.
Website | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads | Facebook
About the Illustrator: James Dean
James Dean is the creator of the best-selling Pete the Cat. Before James started painting Pete the Cat as a full-time profession in 1999, he wanted to paint cars and trucks. He loves things that go, and currently drives a 1971 VW bus camper and a 1959 Chevy truck. He worked as an electrical engineer for fifteen years before he decided to try to make a living with his paintings. James lives with his wife, five cats, and a pug named Little Emma.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon Page
Want a Chance to Win a Copy of “Mighty Dads”?
Be sure to head on over to our review and giveaway of Mighty Dads for your chance to win a copy. Open US/Canada. Ends May 19, 2014. Just click on the cover below.
* $50 Book Blast Giveaway *
Prize: One winner will receive a $50 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice)
Contest ends: May 31, 11:59 pm, 2014
Open: Internationally
How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Joan Holub and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.
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Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Massachusetts Book Award Long List
- Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
- Starred review from School Library Journal
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award Long List
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Oooh. I’d like to win this giveaway.
Thanks for entering Gwenn!
I love the little truck on the cover of Mighty Dads 🙂
Hi Catherine,
It is a great cover, isn’t it?!
Looks like a great book!
Hi Laura S.,
My fantasy would be to have my husband read it to our kids since it would be their “thing” they do together at bedtime! LOL!
I’ve been on the lookout for dad-themed books lately, and this looks like a great one!
Hi Katie,
I love this book for little boys who are into trucks and want daddy to read to them at night!! My son had a short but sweet truck book phase when he was three or so.
Just perfect for Father’s Day I reckon!
Hi Emma,
It would be my fantasy to watch my husband reading this book to his little boy. Unfortunately, our son is a tad too old to appreciate this particular board board.
This looks like a cute book! Love the illustrations. Stopping over from Damson Lane’s linky. I too remember the truck phase 🙂
~Sheila
Hi Sheila,
Thanks so much for stopping by! The truck phase was so much fun! I’m glad my son was into trucks though it was for a brief time only! It the only way I learned about them!