Daddy Goes to Work
Daddy Goes to Work is a comforting picture book that acknowledges the melancholy of a caregiver’s temporary absence.
Arpan V. Shah’s picture book Daddy Goes to Work follows a father and his daughter through their easy weekday morning routine—until it is interrupted by a new development.
The story begins at first morning light. A father and his baby wake at the same time, in their individual rooms. After a diaper change comes play time and breakfast. Drama arises when it comes time for the father to depart for work, leaving his daughter with her grandmother. But the baby’s moment of sadness is smoothed over when her father reminds her of all of the good activities that she can look forward to. With that bit of reassurance, the baby dries her eyes and settles in for a day with her grandmother. And even while they’re apart, the father and his daughter remain a part of each other’s days, thanks to their mutual thoughts of one another (and a midday video chat).
The family’s familiar routine is explained via direct language that makes the story perfect for a toddler’s comprehension. The sparse dialogue and narration leave room for ad-libbing, personalizations, and further discussions during reading time. The story’s simplicity also allows the fresh, uncomplicated illustrations to take center stage. They are bright and fun, showcasing how family enjoyment can even be found in ordinary morning routines. Overarching themes of togetherness and love keep the story upbeat when the father’s work responsibilities force his separation from his daughter: both parts of the pair take comfort in knowing that “Daddy always comes back!” In spotlighting working, single fathers, the book distinguishes itself, too; a touching note mentions how often that demographic is overlooked in conversations surrounding family struggles.
With smiles throughout, Daddy Goes to Work is a comforting picture book that acknowledges the melancholy of a caregiver’s absence, no matter how temporary the separation is.
Reviewed by
Tanisha Rule
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book and paid a small fee to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. Foreword Reviews and Clarion Reviews make no guarantee that the publisher will receive a positive review. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
