This is the latest in our series of quarterly seasonal roundups, this time showcasing new picture books for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Memorial Day, and Fourth of July celebrations. We continue to look for fiction and nonfiction books about a variety of festivals and cultural celebrations, and are hopeful that our coverage will be more inclusive and expansive over time. Looking forward to the fall, we are seeking reviewers who are familiar with Diwali, Día de los Muertos, Rosh Hashanah, and Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations.

Allen, Elanna. Pet Dad. illus. by Elanna Allen. 32p. Dial. May 2018. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780525428268.

PreS-Gr 1 –Plum is a little girl who desperately wants a pet despite her father’s adamant refusal. She has no choice but to get a pet dad. She rubs his tummy, scratches behind his ears, and even names him Schnitzel. But Schnitzel (aka Dad) doesn’t always roll over when she says to or fetch when she throws the ball. Plum quickly discovers it isn’t easy caring for a pet grown-up. He barks, “Heck No,” when she tells him to sit. Allen’s pencil-and-ink drawings are detailed but leave plenty of white space that gives the book a fresh, breezy feel. The bright color of a few key objects like Plum’s sweatshirt and Dad’s tie stand out against a faded background of greenish grays. VERDICT A funny and irreverent take on books about pets and not being allowed to have one that is sure to be popular in general collections. Plum and her pet will be a storytime hit at Father’s Day and all year round.–Hillary Perelyubskiy, Los Angeles Public Library

Evans, Lezlie. Daddies Do. illus. by Elisa Ferro. 32p. Sterling. May 2018. Tr $16.95. ISBN 9781454921714.

PreS-Gr 1 –A list of the loving activities and small things that daddies do best with their children. With a digital representation of gouache, colored pencil, and ink, the cartoon images of animal families fill each spread. In the course of their daily activities, the anthropomorphized dads make their children feel good as they build self-esteem with encouragement, provide opportunities for independence, or simply give the support of their presence while their little ones explore their world. Mouse dads help their small sons feel big, bird dads “offer courage” to fly, panda dads lift their children to the highest branch of the tree, anteaters enjoy a sweet snack (ants included), penguins build forts and glide down an icy slide, bears fish (although these ones use poles) in a stream, birds “swoop” and their “blues fly away,” and—in a nod to children’s literature—monkeys jump on the beds. Ending with bedtime stories and lots of loving “bear” hugs, this book is a comforting choice for young readers in school or home libraries. VERDICT With a catchy rhyme and a repeated refrain, this title is a solid choice for Father’s Day or anytime sharing.–Mary Elam, Learning Media Services, Plano ISD, TX

Ledyard, Stephanie Parsley. Pie Is for Sharing. illus. by Jason Chin. 32p. Roaring Brook/Neal Porter Bks. May 2018. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781626725621.

PreS-Gr 1 –Set against the verdant backdrop of a Fourth of July picnic, this effervescent picture book extols the glories of sharing. Chin’s watercolor-and-gouache paintings depict a diverse group of families gathering at a woodsy lakeside setting in order to sample treats, play games, and explore nature. A boy, his little sister, their parents, and a black lab serve as unnamed protagonists. After riding their bikes to the picnic site, the boy happily dishes out a yummy-looking lattice-topped treat: “Pie is for sharing. It starts out whole and round. Then…you can slice it into as many pieces as you wish. Almost” (the last word is paired with an image of his disappointed sister with empty plate). What else can be shared? A tree (among many children frolicking in its branches), a jump rope (and “your place in the middle”), “time” (playing on the beach), “words and music” (enthusiastically sung into a banana), and more, culminating with fireworks in the night sky. Filled with details and motion, the winsome illustrations expand upon the playful text while creating an engaging visual story line for the featured characters. Ultimately, the best thing to share is a lovely sense of community. VERDICT Young readers will enjoy being a part of this halcyon summer day of family, friendship, and fun. Perfect for a holiday storytime or for everyday sharing.–Joy Fleishhacker, Pikes Peak Library District, Colorado Springs

Melmed, Laura Krauss. Daddy, Me, and the Magic Hour. illus. by Sarita Rich. 32p. Sky Pony. May 2018. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781510707917.

PreS-Gr 1 –A young boy and his dad enjoy a walk they call “Magic Hour” after supper each evening. They greet neighbors, watch the nightly parade of dogs with their owners, play games, and calm down after a tickling session and a ride on the swings in the playground. As night falls, they enjoy cricket sounds and catch-and-release fireflies. Finally, with the moon overhead, they head home where the boy tells mom about his adventures before she tucks him in to bed. The text, narrated by the boy, is appropriately childlike and greatly enriched by the large, colorful illustrations. They include full- and half-page images as well as panels, are thickly outlined in black, and provide a humorous glimpse into the daily life of this loving family. While mom tends to the baby, dad cooks supper. The boy, meanwhile, engages in such rambunctious activities as sending broccoli across the kitchen with the swipe of a spatula and putting a bib on the cat. While Dad must call him to the table for dinner rather forcefully, his playful engagement in the boy’s high jinks is evidence of their warm relationship. VERDICT This is a good choice for group sharing, and, when paired with Dan Yaccarino’s Every Friday, may inspire youngsters to engage in some enjoyable family activities.–Marianne Saccardi, Children’s Literature Consultant, Cambridge, MA

Otter, Isabel. My Daddy is a Hero. ISBN 9781 610677202.

––––. My Mommy is a Hero. ISBN 9781 610677219.

ea vol: illus. by Hannah Tolson. 32p. Kane Miller. Jun. 2018. Tr. $12.99.

PreS-Gr 2 –Tolson’s heartwarming portrayal of caregivers who work in the military explores the plethora of ways they can serve. Each spread begins with the titular phrase and then highlights different aspects of military work. The playful acrylic/crayon artwork depicts pilots, chaplains, mechanics, medics, dog handlers, musicians, and more, expanding the idea of what it means to be a hero. Binoculars, stethoscopes, and screwdrivers are the tools of their trade. No guns are depicted here. My Daddy is a Hero focuses more on nurturing qualities and is especially effective when the dads use those same skills to connect with their children at home. My Mommy is a Hero drives home themes of strength and leadership and deals more with being on the front lines and distance and danger. Not overly patriotic, the first-person narratives keep the books grounded in things that matter to children—feeling safe and loved, even when a parent is off helping others. Young kids will enjoy pointing out the camouflage endpapers that grace both volumes. VERDICT These attractive titles would be right at home in larger collections. Share them with fans of Jill Biden’s Don’t Forget, God Bless Our Troops for Memorial Day, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day programming.–Kristy Kilfoyle, Canterbury School, Fort Myers, FL

Surrisi, Cynthia. The Best Mother. illus. by Diane Goode. 32p. Abrams. Apr. 2018. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781419725340.

PreS-Gr 2 –Frustrated with following her daily rules and routines, Maxine decides to look for a new mother in the park, at the toy store, and at the zoo—but in the end, she discovers her “old” mother is the best. Surrisi’s concise writing explores this universal theme in a fresh way, but leaves the main message unarticulated (except for the title), skewing this book for a slightly older picture book reader in spite of the short word count. Goode’s recognizable pen-and-ink drawings with watercolor, gouache, and pastel suit the humorous and heartfelt story. The illustrations are done in a cartoon style very similar to those in Kate Feiffer’s My Mom Is Trying To Ruin My Life, also illustrated by Goode. VERDICT This is a sweet (but not too sweet) general purchase especially suited for a Mother’s Day storytime, but is likely to be enjoyed by both children and moms all year round.–Hillary ­Perelyubskiy, Los Angeles Public Library