A Pinecone!

This is the perfect book to show good parenting skills!

One morning, while her dad walks the family dog, the little girl discovers pinecones. And when I say discovers, I should say “loves at first sight” and “gets immediately obsessed with” pinecones. While the dog drags papa up and down the path, ending in a magnificent fall in the mud, this little girl collects all the pinecones she can get her hands on, giving them family names one by one.

Cutting to later in the story, what does the dad do when he discovers the mountain of pinecones collected and accumulated in her room and across the house? React like a good dad! No scolding, no disapproval, but instead he decides to decorate the full house with pinecones, celebrating his daughter's new hobby and fascination. This was utterly charming and made me feel all warm in my heart.

And about papa and the dog falling in the mud? Parenting at its best once again: letting the dog play in the mud, then carrying it back in his arms, before drying it and cleaning it with a fluffy towel, starting a laundry, and getting a nice cup of tea. Just patience, love, and letting his kids be kids. Just perfect.

And did I mention how charming the illustrations are? The facial expressions and overall body language are so on point! And I love the pattern effects! Just great, great, great! Extra point: bi-racial family and possibly single dad!

Highly, highly recommend this book, go get it for your kids, schools, and libraries once it is out on 9/10/2024!

I received an advance review copy for free from Edelweiss and the publisher Candlewick, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.