Dad & Me

Dad and Me is a great book. I like the story because sometimes my dad comes home and he is a little grouchy like the dad in the book. But in the end, the dad feels better and plays with his son, Tommy. The pictures are amazing and my favorite is of the dad's sad eyes in the rearview mirror. My favorite sentence is about the baby brother, "the alien." I think everyone should buy this book because it tells kids not to feel bad when their dad or mom are angry at something else. Thank you for writing this book, Mr. Catalanotto.

It is an absolute insult when customers are subjected to rants such as Wendy's above. When someone admits to buying a book without reading it, and then spews angry words to discredit the contents, I am wary. In this instance I must set the record straight, because the book is so powerful and intelligently illustrated. Dad and Me is a sophisticated picture book that deals with the relationship between a child and his less-than-perfect father. It is not a happy-go-lucky Father's Day book; it's a book about families. The father works, and the child wants; attention, a relationship, time. Centered on the space walk of 1963, the story moves the father from a man preoccupied with work ("No, we can't listen to the space walk together") to one who tenderly reaches out to his child after a disagreement. What's so appalling about that? The illustrations are nothing less than brilliant, the car used as a metaphor for the father's work, not a vehicle that beeps throughout a neighborhood. If you're not a thinker, or if you come from a perfect family this is not a book for you, but if you are someone who can identify with the ups and downs of the real parent-child world, and would like a story to share, indulge.

What a powerful book! For any parent who has been in a bad mood and sometimes forgets how it can effect his or her child. Catalanotto captures Tommy's emotional twists in words and pictures perfectly. This book isn't for those who like to live with their heads in the sand. It's an honest, direct look at real parent-child relationships. This book can open up wonderful discussions between adults and children on human behavior and help kids understand how parents can get overwhelmed by their careers. Bravo, Catalanotto, for continuing to create thought provoking literature for children. Your tremendous respect for children's feelings is ever evident!