Annoyed at their father's behavior, a brother and sister research other creatures for alternatives to their "grouchy, bossy or just totally gross" dad in this playful take on putting up with parents. Through their explorations, the two find that their dad is way better than an octopus dad ("He would always win at tag"), a dung-beetle dad ("He would pile poop in your room"), or a whale dad ("You couldn't take him ANYWHERE"). Digitally produced illustrations, as humorous as the text, effectively show the different madcap scenarios conjured by the children. The facial expressions and body language of the siblings clearly show their opinions on each dad option. An owl dad would exhaust them ("He would keep you up AAAAAAAAAALL night," the sister frowns), while a bee dad would anger them ("He would always be BUZZZZZZZING," they both scowl). A few funnily informative facts about each creature are included. Vivid colors, appealing creatures, and engaging text with a warmhearted outcome make this dad-centered story a delight.

A pair of siblings explores the reasons why a dad of another species would be way worse than the dad they have now. Even though their dad is sometimes grumpy and gross, at least he doesn't leave balls of poop in their rooms as a dung-beetle dad might. And they should be glad he's not a snake who might shed his skin in front of all their friends—that would be embarrassing. Saying "Boo!" to a skunk dad might result in some major stink, and an owl dad would keep them awake all night. Readers will get the idea after the first few spreads, but the shtick covers 16 animals. Chapman's illustrations are done on vibrantly colored backgrounds, the characters and animals in full color, while props and extra details are only outlined in black. The typography gets in on the act: "Be glad your dad is not a TORTOISE, because e v e r y t h i n g w o u l d t a k e f o r e v e r." Like the words, a trail of melted ice cream stretches across the spread from the cone dad has scooped his child. While the characters' faces express emotion, readers may be distracted by their noses, which are piglike and oddly dark against their otherwise fair skin. Three final pages tell "More about the animals in this book," but these facts vary widely in the quality of the information they impart (it's never explained why a quail dad would be boring, for instance). This tries too hard to be funny…and misses. (Picture book. 4-8)

In their first children-s book, Logelin and Jensen reveal that while human dads can be -grouchy, bossy, or just totally gross,- it could be worse: an owl father -would keep you up aaaaaaaaaall night,- and a snake dad -would shed his skin in front of your friends.- In vivid digital cartoons, Chapman (Steve, Raised by Wolves) pictures two siblings suffering through each less-than-wonderful parent, from a monkey serving up a meal of bugs to a dino dad who-s -nothing but bones.- Irreverent closing notes offer extra details about the 16 animals. Light, jokey fun-dung beetles are always good for a laugh, right? Ages 4-8. Authors- agent: Rachel Sussman, Chalberg & Sussman. Illustrator-s agent: Rebecca Sherman, Writers House. (May)