Dad By My Side written and illustrated by Soosh is a simple, gentle and absolutely darling story about the love between a father and his young daughter. Soosh has created a big giant of a dad, all comfortable in his huge overalls, who is ready to protect, love and teach his daughter. In the Author’s Note Soosh says that she drew the Dad deliberately big because that is how his little daughter sees him.
He puts on puppet plays for her when she needs to laugh, comforts her whenever she is sad (like when her pet turtle dies) and protects her from monsters who could be living under her bed while she sleeps. On the other hand, she helps him when he’s trying to make omelets, gives him a cup of her special tea when he’s working too hard on his papers and even teaches him how to make shadow puppets on the wall.
The story is told as much by the illustrations, rendered exquisitely in watercolor on egg shell paper, as by the words themselves. The pictures are full of delightful details that fulfill the narrative in all sorts of loving ways. The illustration of Dad protecting her from monsters while she sleeps shows Dad in his Superman t-shirt half asleep himself sitting at the end of her bed as three sets of monster eyes peek out from underneath. Particularly captivating is the illustration of the little girl drawing flowers and lady bugs all over the newly-acquired cast on her Dad’s right foot.
Dad By My Side written and illustrated by Soosh with colorful scenes on white glossy pages that pop right out will entertain and speak directly to children 4-8 years of age (Little Brown and Company/Hachette Book Group, 2018).
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Questions and activities for Dad By My Side
The girl and her Dad in this story make omelets together. Have you ever cooked with your Dad or Mom? What did you make? What did you put on before you started to cook or bake such as an apron or a chef’s hat? What did you use such as a bowl, a big spoon or a measuring cup? Was it fun? Draw a picture of you and your Dad or Mom working together in your kitchen. Be sure to include all of the delicious details.
The writer/ illustrator of this picture book says in her Author’s Note that the Dad in this story is the little girl’s hero. Who in your life is your hero? Think about your dad, mom, grandparents, older siblings, neighbors and teachers. If you could give that person a hero’s T-shirt to wear what would it look like? The dad in this story was wearing a Superman T- shirt when he watched for monsters under his daughter’s bed. Draw a picture of the shirt you would give to your hero. Have fun!
Write a thank you note to your hero that says what you are thanking them for specifically such as for teaching you how to ride a bike, swim, plant flowers, identify birds or build towers with blocks. Thank you notes are short so try to say it all in two or three sentences. Adults can help, if needed.
