This book attempts to convey meanings and origins of common idioms ("Bury your head in the sand," "Wipe that smile off your face," etc.). Realistic illustrations mirror the idioms to unsettling effect (e.g., a girl pictured without a mouth, holding her smile in a towel). The rhymed text is repetitive and clunky. Lengthy sidebar explanations appear in too-tiny typeface.

In this picture book, rhyming verses take children through a collection of expressions, while watercolor illustrations show what would happen if the expressions were literally true. Some of the pictures work better than others. The image of the cool cucumber sitting on a lounge chair with an umbrella-garnished drink is a winner; the picture of a boy with large wings protruding from his rear (illustrating the phrase "flying by the seat of you pants") is more awkward. Each page includes a rather sophisticated explanation of the origin of the expression in small font. These explanations may have limited interest to kids in the intended age group, and some of the featured expressions seem more likely to be used by an old guy who sits on his front porch whittling than by a modern mom or dad. Still, kids will enjoy the wordplay and the surrealistic illustrations.

Gr 1-3 My Daddy joins My Momma (2003), My Grandma (2007), and My Teacher (2004, all Sleeping Bear) as Brennan-Nelson continues to introduce children to a variety of idioms through rhyming verse and literally interpreted illustrations. Each spread has background information on the origin of the featured expression that is much more engaging than the verse, but it is likely to be overlooked because of its small font. The expressions include "the buck stops here," "fly by the seat of your pants," and "cool as a cucumber." Donovan's pictures add humorous charm: for example, the robust green cucumber sunbathing becomes a shriveled pickle. The final spread may be a bit confusing to children as the illustration and text highlight the saying "in the doghouse" while the informational material concerns "on cloud nine." "We've been on a wild goose chase.'/And had a whale of a time.'/If we're not in the doghouse'/we're sitting on cloud nine.'" Purchase if the earlier titles are in demand. Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA