Dad by My Side

Making her debut, Soosh introduces a loving dad with a red mullet, curly beard, and wide, sloping shoulders. His daughter, a tiny girl with long, dark hair, describes the ways he nurtures, teaches, and supports her: “He tells the best stories. He makes me feel cozy. He protects me from monsters under the bed.” Soosh renders father and daughter in loose, stippled watercolors, capturing them in casual moments of togetherness—cuddling on the couch, sewing a garment, cooking, peering through a telescope, or marking the child’s height on the wall. Even when he is away, “he doesn’t miss a single lullaby” by calling her on the phone. With great tenderness, Soosh conveys the many important roles that a father plays in a child’s life—roles that can change from moment to moment. Ages 4–8. [em](May) [/em]