Sad Dad? How to Cheer Up Dad by Fred Koehler

"SAD DAD BAD HAD.

WHAT A DAY DAD HAD," said Dr. Seuss in his Hop on Pop (I Can Read It All By Myself). And Dad Elephant is having One of Those Days.

All he did was put healthy raisins in Little Jumbo's oatmeal, and Little Jumbo shot them high in the air through his trunk. Little Jumbo and Dad both discover that (at least) raisins don't stick to the ceiling. But just look at the mess on the floor!

One look at Dad's face and Little Jumbo knows he needs to do something fast. L. J. launches his charm offensive.

HE THOUGHT A HUG WOULD BE A GOOD START.

Then L.J. takes Dad outside to play catch.

SINCE DAD LOVES DESSERT, LITTLE JUMBO AGREED TO SHARE AN ICE CREAM CONE.

That done, he remembers how relaxing fishing can be for Dad, so the two head down to the pier to pull in a good haul!

Will all the fun and games get the grumbles out of Dad by bedtime? In Fred Koehler's How to Cheer Up Dad (Dial Books, 2014) a sly little elephant knows how to make his Dad sad no more, yawning and ready for his favorite bedtime story, The Sleepy Little Elephant. With trunk in cheek, Koehler's charming Little Jumbo makes amends and makes his Dad happy. As Publishers Weekly adds, "Koehler’s words adopt the tone of a confident preschooler, while his sweetly scraggly illustrations depict the reality of each scenario with a wink." Fun fare for Fathers Day.