My Daddy Likes to Say

Gr 13 "My Daddy" joins "My Momma"] (2003), "My Grandma"] (2007), and "My Teacher"] (2004, all Sleeping Bear) as Brennan-Nelson continues to introduce children to a variety of idioms through rhyming verse and literally interpreted illustrations. Each spread has background information on the origin of the featured expression that is much more engaging than the verse, but it is likely to be overlooked because of its small font. The expressions include "the buck stops here," "fly by the seat of your pants," and "cool as a cucumber." Donovan's pictures add humorous charm: for example, the robust green cucumber sunbathing becomes a shriveled pickle. The final spread may be a bit confusing to children as the illustration and text highlight the saying "in the doghouse" while the informational material concerns "on cloud nine." "We've been on a wild goose chase.'/And had a whale of a time.'/If we're not in the doghouse'/we're sitting on cloud nine.'" Purchase if the earlier titles are in demand."Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA" Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.