Because Your Daddy Loves You by Andrew Clements, R. W. Alley (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

A day spent with a young child at the beach is filled with many minor dramas—a lost shoe, a ball that floats too far out into the water, a drippy ice-cream cone. These can be frustrating events for both child and parent, but the daddy in this book finds a way to fix each problem, lovingly and patiently. Why? Because he loves his little girl, of course! This spot-on pairing of words and images is a warm, reassuring, and humorous tribute to dads everywhere.

Children's Literature

This charming book about the patience, protection, and affection of fathers spans a memorable day from the wee hours of the morning, to a beach outing of dad-averted mishaps, to bedtime that night. A missing shoe, a ball floating out to sea, an exhausting walk, a messy ice cream, a nap in the car, an oft-read bedtime book, and a piggyback ride are the many situations in which this dad shows patience toward his daughter. In each situation, the dad turns something unfortunate into an opportunity for fun and togetherness. A ball drifting into the waves is a chance for the dad to retrieve it and then play roll and catch. A long and tiring walk is an opportunity to rest and make sand castles together. Both the text and illustrations reflect not only a long-suffering dad but one who takes joy in being a parent. A comforting refrain reminds the reader that a dad does not always say the scolding words the situation might prompt: "Your daddy could say ‘Didn't I tell you not to play too close to the waves?' But he doesn't." Children hearing this book read aloud might enthusiastically chime in to "But he doesn't," and they could certainly enjoy predicting that the dad will not say the expected negative responses. A second person narrative brings the story close to the reader as it refers to "your daddy." The circular structure of this book, from bed to the beach to back home and in bed again, makes it a soothing choice for bedtime. Reviewer: Michele C. Hughes

School Library Journal

K-Gr 2-This book pays tribute to a father's unconditional love and patience. Instead of hurrying along, scolding, or ignoring his daughter, this daddy takes time, understands, and pays attention. The two spend the day at the seashore, where the father rescues his child from a slew of mishaps. The repetition of the phrase "your daddy could say...But he doesn't," as in "your daddy could say,/We've read that old story/ over and over./But he doesn't," reinforces the theme, and the color cartoon illustrations echo the lighthearted mood. Some children may relate to this depiction of fatherhood, but many will know that real dads do not always live up to these idealized expectations. Unlike Clements's previous work, this book belongs to the genre of sentimental keepsakes.-Holly T. Sneeringer, University of Maryland, Baltimore Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

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