What Dads Can't Do (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Doug Cushman (Illustrator) "There are lots of things that regular people can do but dads can't..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Wood's (Old Turtle) refreshing, spontaneous tale spotlights the rapport between a patient, apparently single father and his all-knowing child. The child narrator, like his dad a green dino in human clothing, shares his insights into the things "that regular people can do but dads can't." Perceptive kids will see that this father is both safety-conscious and one very good sportDand most well-loved kids will nod in recognition as they read how dads "can't cross the street without holding hands" and "can't pitch a baseball very hard or hit one very far." Cushman's (the Aunt Eater mysteries) equally wry watercolor and pen-and-ink art cagily picks up where the narrative leaves off: he illustrates the statement "Dads aren't good at sleeping late" with an image of the youngster pulling the covers off his father while the bedside clock reads 5:05; the father is shown purchasing a toy robot as his son accuses dads of having "trouble holding onto their money"; and at bedtime, the child fearfully pulls his blanket up to his eyes as he notes that dads "like to check under the bed for monsters." This tongue-in-cheek tale ends on a forgivably sugary note: "Most of all, whatever happens, a dad never stops loving you." Just the right blend of sassiness and sentiment. Ages 3-8. (May)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-A little green dinosaur gives examples of the "things that regular people can do but dads can't," such as cross the street without holding hands, read a book by themselves, or play hide-and-seek without always getting found. This amusing picture book will tickle youngsters' funny bones and make every parent and child smile with recognition. The simple, large-print text consists of one sentence per page. The negative litany is of course a reflection of the efforts of loving fathers to make their sons feel good about themselves. "Dads like to go camping, but they need lots of help setting up the tent. And cooking. Dads like to go fishing, but they don't like to go alone. And they need extra practice baiting the hook." Cushman's large, delightful, pen-and-ink and watercolor cartoons are reminiscent of the characters in The ABC Mystery (HarperCollins, 1996), and they capture perfectly the father-and-son interactions of this appealing reptilian pair. "And most of all, whatever happens, a dad never ever stops loving you." Whether read one-on-one or in a group, this story is sure to generate smiles all around. A great choice for Father's Day programs.
Wanda Meyers-Hines, Huntsville/Madison County Public Library, Huntsville, AL
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing; 1st edition (May 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689826206
• ISBN-13: 978-0689826207
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #102,633 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Admiring Eyes on a Helping Hand!, May 29, 2001

By	Professor Donald Mitchell "Jesus Makes Me a P... (Boston) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)

What Dads Can't Do is written from a preschooler's admiring perspective of a dad's helpful habits. Any father will be delighted to think that perhaps some of that self-sacrifice is perceived in positive ways by the tykester set. This book would make a wonderful gift from a preschooler to her or his father for Father's Day. The humorous, warm watercolors of Stegosaurus-type dinosaurs make the messages tickle your laughter button even more than would usually occur with these dry one-liners.

"There are lots of things/ that regular people can do/ but dads can't."

" . . . can't cross the street without holding hands."

"Dads can push, but they can't swing."

"Dads can't pitch a baseball very hard or hit one very far."

"When dads play hide-and-seek they always get found, but they have a hard time finding you."

"They aren't very good wrestlers."

"Dads lose at checkers/ and cards/ and almost every other game."

"Dads aren't good at sleeping late. They can't comb their hair or shave by themselves."

"Dads like to go camping but they need lots of help setting up the tent." "And cooking."

As you can see, the manly virtues being praised here are inclusiveness and helpfulness. When dad operates like mom, then he "can't" do something . . . but that's really all right.

My favorites in the book include:

"Dads seem to have trouble holding on to their money." This is combined with an illustration of a dad buying a child a toy in a store.

"Dads like to go fishing, but they don't like to go alone. And they need extra practice baiting the hook."

"Dads can't read a book by themselves."

"Sometimes they leave a night-light on because they're a little scared of the dark."

"And most of all, whatever happens, a dad never ever stops loving you."

The book is written in such a way that this book can be seen as being about a dad who's married to a wonderful mom, one who's divorced and whose children are visiting, or to a single dad who's raising children by himself. I liked that feature very much.

The book is also appealing because it will make a dad feel good whenever he does one of these things. He knows that his son or daughter will appreciate his consideration from having read this book. So having this book available in your house is a little bit like making every day Father's Day!

After you finish the book, dad, you can develop even more closeness by asking your wee ones what else dad can't do. I'm sure they'll come up with some dillies to amuse one and all.

Find more ways to help . . . because you never stand higher in the world's estimation than when you stoop to aid another.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Gift for Father's Day, May 29, 2000

By	Holly Tucker (La Mirada, California) - See all my reviews

If you know a great dad who is raising young children,this book should be a part of the bedtime/naptime library in their home. This book is for the dad who makes time with his children, who understands them cares about the 'monsters under their beds'. The illustrations are whimsical and entertaining to both child and adult. Let the daddies in your life know that they are loved even when there are some things they CAN'T do only because they love their children so much!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Those Poor Helpless Dads, May 25, 2001

By	Roz Levine (Virginia) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Douglas Wood and Doug Cushman have gotten together and authored a terrific book about Dads. These poor creatures would be lost without their little ones to help them. Dads can't cross streets without holding hands, they're always found right away in a game of hide and seek, but they can never find you and they can't comb their hair or shave by themselves. Dads can't see you hiding your lima beans at dinner, can't read books by themselves and sometimes leave a night light on in your room because they're afraid of the dark...(they like to check under the bed and in the closet too). There are just so many things Dad can't do..... Mr Wood really captures the essence of a pre-schooler in this delightful picture book. His sweet and gentle text is complimented by Mr Cushman's expressive and detailed illustrations, as we watch father and son dinosaurs help each other through their day. What Dads Can't Do makes a wonderful father's day gift and many a Dad will be charmed as he shares this book with his little dinosaur. There is one thing Dads are really the best at...They never stop loving you!