Things To Do with Dad

PreS-Gr 2—A happy youngster and his father cook a magical pancake breakfast. Smiles fade when their eyes turn to the not-so-fun to-do list on the fridge. However, with Dad, even washing dishes can be fun. While Dad washes, the boy blows bubbles with an octopus and submarine, obviously imagining an underwater adventure. Tasks get more creative as "make the beds" turns into "sail a pirate ship" and "water the garden" becomes "explore the jungle." Finally, the exhausted duo rest together beneath a tree, content with a day well spent. The minimal text is limited to the original and revised to-do lists, but no other words are needed. The cartoon-style acrylic and pencil illustrations perfectly capture the boy's flights of fancy and his dad's willingness to play along. Adults could learn a thing or two from this father about making mundane tasks more enjoyable.