Hammer and Nails
Josh Bledsoe, Author
Jessica Warrick, Illustrator
Flashlight Press, Fiction, 2016
Suitable for ages: 5-7
Themes: Father and Dautghter, Play, Family relationship
Opening: “Darcy crumpled up her playdate plans and plpped onto her bed. Her best friend was sick, and now Darcy’s entire day was ruined.”
Publisher’s Synopsis:
Darcy has plans. She and her friend are going to play dress up, do each other’s hair, and polish their nails.
Daddy has plans, too. He’s going to read the paper, mow the lawn, and fix the fence.
When Darcy’s friend cancels and she’s sure her day is ruined, Daddy suggests that they tackle their to-do lists together with a Darcy-Daddy Day. But will Daddy play dress up? Will Darcy like yard work?
Daddy dons a tutu, and Darcy gives him a fancy hair do. They groom the lawn with Her Majesty’s Mowing Service and face off in a Daddy-directed sock battle. But will Darcy want to hammer? Will Daddy do nails? Stepping outside their comfort zones, Darcy and Daddy opt to be open-minded and even a bit daring. As Daddy says, “Sometimes things you’ve never done end up being fun!”
My thoughts on Hammer and Nails:
A Daddy-Darcy play/work date — what a brilliant idea for a picture book! Readers will love this clever and endearing story about a super-cool dad and his delightful princess daighter. I guarntee that kids will beg to have it read again and again. Great story for bedtime.
This is a delightful story for all dads, especially for those who are single parents. Daddy meets Darcy half way and is willing to embrace Darcy’s list of dressing up, nail ainting,, a new hair style. and dancing to music in the kitchen. Daddy is fun-loving and a good sport. He decks out his riding lawn mower with bows and an umbrella, and invites Darcy to help him mow the grass in a special way, He starts a sock battle as they fold the laundry, And he teaches her how to fix a fence with hammer and nails.
Josh Bledsoe wrote the book for his own family, whcih makes it even more charming! And check out that book cover. Jessica Warrick’s lively and expressive illustrations really makes this story sing. They show the disappointment and hilarity of a father and daughter spending a special day together. Kids will want to pour over the illustrations. Make sure you check out how the dog and cat respond. This is a great gift book.
Resources: The book will guide families in figuring out their own special play dates. It could be father and daughter or mother and son.
Josh Bledsoe is an elementary school teacher who loves hanging out with his kids. He has. at one time or another, played hair and nail salon, designed epic obstacle coures,w orn a tutu, and made sandwiches out of waffles. He lives with this wife and two children outside Nashville, TN, and this is his first picture book.
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books (PPB) with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.
*I won a review copy Hammer and Nails on Maria Marshall’s website Making Nature Fun. I loved it so much I reviewed it.. Make sure you check out her wonderful picture book reviews.