Susanna has said she’ll bring the donuts for our Perfect Picture Book Friday. Let’s grab our coffee and have fun. Here is my review:
Title: “Papa, Do You Love Me”
Written by: Barbara M. Joosse;
Illustrated by: Barbara Lavallee
Chronicle Books LLC; fiction 2005
Theme: African culture, Family and relationships.
Reader resources: “Papa, Do You Love Me” fits in any discussion on family relationships. A discussion on love and family relationships can include asking the kids for a list of ways parents show love without actually saying the words “I love you”.
Suitable for: Preschool through second grade.
From the jacket: “From the creators of the bestselling “Mama, Do You Love Me?” comes a tender story that reassuringly shows that a father’s love is everlasting and unconditional. The universal message is made all the more captivating by its magnificent backdrop. Set in Africa, amidst the Maasai culture, the comforting story introduces young readers to a distinctively different culture and awe-inspiring land, while at the same time reminding us that the special bond between a parent and a child is one that transcends all boundaries of time and place. A must for every child’s library, like its companion title, this book is destined to become a classic.”
Why I love it: From the start the rich illustrations are a powerful corollary to the beautiful text. The child asks all kinds of conditional questions to his Papa, who continually and patiently answers them with total empathy and understanding. The universality of the questions will quell every child’s worry that they themselves can do something to disturb a parent’s love for them. And since it takes place in Africa, it is even more universal for American children. There is a glossary in the back that clarifies difficult words and makes the African culture easier to understand, building the readers appreciation.
For more books with resources please visit Perfect Picture Books at Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog.
Would you read it? Does this sound like a good choice for Perfect Picture Book Friday?
Related and what you may have missed: (I know, I can’t help myself:) :https://clarbojahn.wordpress.com/2011/12/09/perfect-picture-books-friday-e-mergency/ and https://clarbojahn.wordpress.com/2011/12/02/picture-book-perfect-fridays-leonardo-the-terrible-monster/ and yes, next week there’ll be another here~ today’s selection. *Yay* The list is growing! You really should click on Susanna’s blog and see how many we’ve got. And all the good resources, too.
Clarbojahn's Blog 
I love this selection. I haven’t read it yet. To achieve this as a parent will be so nice: “The child asks all kinds of conditional questions to his Papa, who continually and patiently answers them with total empathy and understanding.”
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Yeah, Who among us in the real world could do that as well as a story, right? The story about family relationships is nice as a parent could ask for ways that show love without actually saying the words. Your child may be too young right now for this. But he would understand the words of the book though, I think. Verbal understanding comes before the ability to verbalize themselves in children.
Glad you liked it. 🙂
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I haven’t read this yet but it looks really wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing it. *gets out library list which is now 7 feet long and adds another books :)*
Clar – if I can, I’ll add this to the link list now so it gets on ASAP. If i can’t, I’ll let you know 🙂
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Oops, I can’t! The URL is too long!
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I added it by shortening the url. Thanks for trying though. I scheduled it to go “Live” earlier than I am able to link it. Then there is so much to do.
I appreciate your help, Susanna. 🙂
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This sounds like a wonderful book, both for the assurance of the parent’s love, and for the look into another culture. Absolutely love the cover art!
Thanks, Clar!
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The beautiful artwork is continued all through the book. The deep red of Papa’s cloak is repeated all through the book giving reassurance for his love by covering the child in protection.
Your welcome, Elizabeth.
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I don’t know how I have missed this one, Clar, it truly looks like a book for every home, classroom and library. The Masai are a wonderful people so I am happy to see a book about their culture with such a universal message for children and parents everywhere. Super choice.
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Thanks, Joanna. 🙂
The Mama, Do You Love Me may be more widely known and more widespread than this edition. I think it’s about the Masai, too. The author says Kenya never left her bones when she returned to the USA. So she likes to write about them.
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I haven’t seen this particular book, but I really like that is multicultrual influence and message. I like the Massai, so I would snatch this one if I saw it. We really are no different. Important to communicate this message early to young children. Sounds like a beautiful book.
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That’s right. Different culture same people with same needs and wants. Children should know that right from the start. Good point, Patricia. 🙂
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I’d read it! I’d read it! 😉
I’ve never heard of the “Papa, Do You Love Me?” or “Mama, Do You Love Me?” before. I’ll be on the “look-out” for them!
Erik 🙂
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Yes, Please do. I think you will find them interesting and intriguing what with the beautiful illustrations and African culture input. And, Erik, if you ever doubt whether your parents love you, this book will reassure you of their love.
I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. 🙂
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I’ve read the “Mama” one, but didn’t know there was a “Papa” companion! Thanks for sharing!
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You’re welcome, Julie. Hope you like it as well as I do. 🙂
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Love the cultural theme behind the message. This is a very lovely book and certainly pulled at my heartstrings. Thankyou Carl.
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You’re welcome, Patient. 🙂
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I have a copy of Mama, Do You Love Me? Barbara Lavallee is a well known artist in my home state of Alaska. Her work is gorgeous. I haven’t seen this one before. I love multi cultural books and can’t wait to read it. I will be requesting this from the library. Thank you!
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You’re welcome, Loni. I know you will like it as much as her other books. She does indeed do gorgeous work. 🙂
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I love this book. we have a copy of it and the companion book in my toddler classroom 🙂
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I’m glad to hear that, Saba. Maybe you’ll get a chance to read it to the kids and have discussion on family relationships. I envy the fact that you are around toddlers. They can be so cute if you’re not too tired to notice. 🙂
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Hi have swung around to visit – thank you for your visit – I never did get around everyone in Rachaels challenge 😦 sorry about that – I don’t read children’s books much anymore – when I worked with children I did but have been long retired from that – this book does sound like one I would like – its in another culture (I’m an anthropologist by nature!) its making the father significant (important in a culture where small children live in a female dominated world (over here in UK anyway) and colour – I’m a sucker for bright colours. I have a frind who has just gone into teaching the younger years I’ll recomend it to her
ROW80 is a goal setting exercise for writers who have trouble keeping themselves on track!!! many encouraging and friendly folk on board. It comes up if it’s googled and Kait Nolan who set it up explains it much better than I can!
Enjoy the festivites
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Thanks for replying and the information about ROW80. I will look it up as it seems like something I would like. I have taken a break from writing to market my children’s book but I find it makes me happy to write and I have felt like an empty shell without doing it regularly. I still write my morning pages but haven’t transfered anything to the computer and worry it’s all for nothing.
I appreciate you giving the book”Papa, Do You Love Me” to your friend. I hope she likes it. You have given a different perspective on it with your comment about it being a man and father. Thank you. 🙂
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I have not read it yet, but I believe that this is a wonderful book. The relation between kids with their Papa is as important as the relationship between kids with their mama..
I will try to find this book.. Thank you for sharing Clar 🙂
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