Amazon.com Review
"Once upon a time there was a father who had 10 children." It seems simple enough as a picture-book premise, in "an old woman who lived in a shoe" sort of way. "Every morning he woke up very early and cooked 10 breakfasts. He helped his 10 children put on 10 little pairs of underpants, 10 little T-shirts, 10 little pairs of jeans, 20 little socks, and 20 little shoes." We follow Dad and his brood through a whole day of before-work and after-work activities--including a bath, dinner, pillow-fluffing, and goodnight kisses. But what's this? Every night, after his children are asleep, he stays up late building a beautiful boat. When it is ready, he leaves the 10 kids with their grandmother and sets off "all by himself to sail around the world for 10 days, or maybe even 10 months!"
At this point in the story, all adults will be breathing a sigh of understanding for the uncomplaining, overworked pop. Kids will be saying, "Hey! Where's he going?" But parents and children alike will love what happens next. The first morning that he wakes up on the boat, he mindlessly starts making breakfast, with "10 little cups... 10 little... But something was missing! He sailed right back to the shore. 'Ahoy, mateys,' he called. 'Breakfast is ready!'" The kids all climb aboard and together they set off to sail around the world. Bénédicte Guettier's illustrations are bold, colorful, comical, simple, chunky, and anything but sentimental. Dad is smiling and scruffy, and the 10 googly eyed, round-headed youngsters resemble a benign cluster of grapes. First published in Belgium in 1997 as Le Papa Qui Avait 10 Enfants, this wonderfully satisfying bedtime story should find a warm welcome on American shores. (Ages 2 to 5) --Karin Snelson
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From School Library Journal
PreSTen round-faced, Kewpie-curled children keep their father busy cooking 10 breakfasts, dressing them in 20 socks and shoes, taking them to school, cooking dinner upon their return, and putting them all to bed with one bedtime story and 10 kisses. Tired as he is, he stays up late and builds a boat. Leaving all 10 children in their grandmothers care, he sets sail alone only to discover that whats missing from his perfect escape is 10 little children. So, he returns to shore, the youngsters climb aboard, and together they set off to sail around the world. The predictability of the daily routine, lots of enumeration, and the frisson of tension when father abandons his brood all contribute to this satisfying story. The goggle-eyed children are surprisingly expressive and the stubble-chinned father is obviously bemused, exhausted, and finally contented. The thick black printing and heavy black outlines enhance the solidity of the flat, boldly colored illustrations. Presented against a stark white background until the father sets off to sea, where all is befittingly blue, the artwork strongly reinforces the simplicity of the telling. The large format is well suited to group sharing and the domestic dad is an appealing parent; however, be prepared for the inevitable plaintive question, But where is the mommy?Carol Ann Wilson, Westfield Memorial Library, NJ
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
