Just So Stories

Happy Father’s day to all the dads, grandpas, uncles, significant/lighthouse males as well as the mums pulling double-duty as both parents.

What Do You Call Your Dad? – Ashleigh Barton/Martina Heiduczek

Harper Collins Australia

July 2024

• ISBN: 9780733343476
• ISBN 10: 0733343473
• Imprint: ABC Books AU
• RRP: $24.99

I’ve now reviewed several of Ashleigh’s books and also had, quite recently, the pleasure of meeting her at the lovely Mad Hatter’s Bookshop. This is another in this terrific series which brings some genuine inclusivity to junior children, particularly those in diverse school populations.

How wonderful to be able to explore the family terms in mother tongues if you have such a school (as I have had on several occasions).

This one takes children again on a world tour to countries that many, indeed most, will not know of and, again, with back matter that identifies each country visited. Martina Heiduczek’s illustrations provide children with a tantalising glimpse of these other parts of the world often with items iconic to the particular culture e.g., the traditional door hanging in Nepal (and so common in Buddhist homes, including mine).

A lovely book for dads of all varieties, this one will go to Little Daisy’s dad for his first Father’s Day!

My Dad, My Rock – Victor D. O. Santos?Anna Forlati

Scribble

July 2024
ISBN: 9781761380624

RRP: $24.99

This is another beautiful book, although quite different. It imagines a boy who has never met his grandfather but neither did his dad. So he pictures himself telling his grandad all about his father and why he is the most important figure in his life. With his dad’s wisdom, and epiphets, his warmth and his fun, his strength and his softness – all the elements that make him such a bulwark against the world.

He is so proud of his dad, as we can well imagine his father is of him as well, and knows unerringly that his grandfather would be just as proud. It is poignant and emotive look at intergenerational connections and love, and will be another fabulous addition for a child who is a deep thinker. The artwork is muted, subdued but infused with feelings. One gathers that this father and son are a unit but in the end, they become a bigger family with another child and a mother. And while that’s a lovely way to end, it’s also been a beautiful journey to see the relationship between the two of them initially. A philosophical book for your older Smalls.