Book Review #51

 Made For Me

Author: Zach Bush
Illustrator: Gregorio De Lauretis

Publisher: Familius, 2019

ISBN:‎ 978-1641702003

Reading Level: 3 to 5 Years

Main Characters: A father and his child

Plot: A father explains why is child is special. 

Settings: The home of the father and child. 

Genre/Theme/Style: Fatherhood, Father's Day, Parenting, New Father, Board Book

I Gave This Book 5 Roars!🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 5 Roars? This is such a sweet book! It teaches about the love of a father for his child. The father in the illustrations is shown as a big guy and the baby is so tiny. Even so, the father is completely enthralled with his new baby.   

Critical Analysis:

The book is a great example of how love knows no boundaries. A very manly, man is depicted as being overjoyed with his child. His concern for his child is all that seems to matter to this father. There is also a version of this book in Spanish. 

"A giant hulk of a man describes his emotions as his child captures his heart. "On the day you were born, I beamed with pride. / My eyes filled with tears. I joyfully cried. / From the moment I saw you and called out your name, / the world as I knew it was never the same." The rest of the book proceeds to demonstrate just how thoroughly this tot has their father wrapped around their finger and shows the dad lovingly caring for his growing child's every need: bottles, diapers, soothing, tickling, feeding, bathing, playing, reading, and exploring the world. While the rhyme and rhythm aren't always spot-on and one illustration depicts a crib instead of the cradle referred to in the text, there is no denying the appeal of this father-child pair, as their bond is more than apparent. The dichotomy between the tiny redheaded tot and the giant lumberjack-look-alike dad—red plaid shirt, blue jeans, full red beard and mustache, and tiny head perched atop a round body with tree-trunk forearms—both white, adds to the sweet sentimentality (sometimes slipping into saccharine) of this book. While young children may relish the opportunity to use this as a springboard for hearing about their own babyhoods with their dads, new fathers are just as likely an audience, the sweet refrain—"Of all the children that ever could be, / you are the one made just for me"—tugging at heartstrings. 

New dads will eat this up.

~~ Kirkus Reviews

Illustrations: The illustrations are a big part of what makes this book so interesting.

 

 "This tremendously sweet book will fill every empty space it finds. Love and a sense of belonging flow on every rhythmic word like a cool brook satisfies on a warm summer day. Illustrations by De Lauretis bring this loving father's heart into full vivid view. It's simply delightful. The stamp on the inside cover is a very special touch."

~~ Midwest Book Review

Connections:

Father's Day Ideas to Make