What Dads Can't Do

by Doug Cushman and Douglas Wood

Book Overview

There are lots of things that regular people can do but dads can't. Dads can't cross the street without holding hands. They can push, but can't swing. When dads play hide-and-seek they always get... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0689826206
• Release Date: May 2000
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 0.5" x 10.0"

Customer Reviews

Admiring Eyes on a Helping Hand!

What Dads Can't Do is written from a preschooler's admiring perspective of a dad's helpful habits. Any father will be delighted to think that perhaps some of that self-sacrifice is perceived in positive ways by the tykester set. This book would make a wonderful gift from a preschooler to her or his father for Father's Day. The humorous, warm watercolors of Stegosaurus-type dinosaurs make the messages tickle your laughter button even more than would usually occur with these dry one-liners. "There are lots of things/ that regular people can do/ but dads can't." " . . . can't cross the street without holding hands.""Dads can push, but they can't swing.""Dads can't pitch a baseball very hard or hit one very far.""When dads play hide-and-seek they always get found, but they have a hard time finding you.""They aren't very good wrestlers." "Dads lose at checkers/ and cards/ and almost every other game.""Dads aren't good at sleeping late. They can't comb their hair or shave by themselves.""Dads like to go camping but they need lots of help setting up the tent." "And cooking."As you can see, the manly virtues being praised here are inclusiveness and helpfulness. When dad operates like mom, then he "can't" do something . . . but that's really all right. My favorites in the book include:"Dads seem to have trouble holding on to their money." This is combined with an illustration of a dad buying a child a toy in a store. "Dads like to go fishing, but they don't like to go alone. And they need extra practice baiting the hook.""Dads can't read a book by themselves." "Sometimes they leave a night-light on because they're a little scared of the dark." "And most of all, whatever happens, a dad never ever stops loving you." The book is written in such a way that this book can be seen as being about a dad who's married to a wonderful mom, one who's divorced and whose children are visiting, or to a single dad who's raising children by himself. I liked that feature very much.The book is also appealing because it will make a dad feel good whenever he does one of these things. He knows that his son or daughter will appreciate his consideration from having read this book. So having this book available in your house is a little bit like making every day Father's Day!After you finish the book, dad, you can develop even more closeness by asking your wee ones what else dad can't do. I'm sure they'll come up with some dillies to amuse one and all. Find more ways to help . . . because you never stand higher in the world's estimation than when you stoop to aid another.

Those Poor Helpless Dads

Douglas Wood and Doug Cushman have gotten together and authored a terrific book about Dads. These poor creatures would be lost without their little ones to help them. Dads can't cross streets without holding hands, they're always found right away in a game of hide and seek, but they can never find you and they can't comb their hair or shave by themselves. Dads can't see you hiding your lima beans at dinner, can't read books by themselves and sometimes leave a night light on in your room because they're afraid of the dark...(they like to check under the bed and in the closet too). There are just so many things Dad can't do..... Mr Wood really captures the essence of a pre-schooler in this delightful picture book. His sweet and gentle text is complimented by Mr Cushman's expressive and detailed illustrations, as we watch father and son dinosaurs help each other through their day. What Dads Can't Do makes a wonderful father's day gift and many a Dad will be charmed as he shares this book with his little dinosaur. There is one thing Dads are really the best at...They never stop loving you!

My two-year-old son loves this book!

Even though the recommended age range for this book is 4-6, my two-year-old son loves this. He goes to his bookshelf specifically for it, "Dads can't!" I think this book shows the value of patience and mutual appreciation between parents and children, and I love it, too! The dad in the story reminds me of my husband, who is REALLY a wonderful dad!

Super Book

This book touched me the moment I started reading it. I am a father of two children and could relate to the "dad" in this book easily. This book has a beautiful message about the love father's have for their children.

What Dads Can't Do

This is a terrific gift for a dad's birthday or for Father's Day! Very touching!