Daddy Has a Pair of Striped Shorts

What really embarrasses the narrator of Otey's first book is not her Daddy's striped shorts, but the fact that he insists on wearing them with a Hawaiian shirt and ``his smiley-face tie.'' Though Uncle Leon thinks Daddy has a ``real flair for dressing,'' Mama attributes his unorthodox garb to color blindness, while the girl and her brother blame it on simple bad taste. Daddy--who happens to be a preacher--is shown engaged in a variety of activities that prove him to be a devoted father and all-around good guy. But no matter what the occasion, he is always decked out in loud clothes. In the end the girl comes to the obvious conclusion: regardless of his attire, everyone likes Daddy--and so does she. Otey's pastel-hued paintings illustrate this warm--but somewhat slight--story of a caring (if clashing) father. Ages 4-8. (Nov.)