Daddies: All About the Work They Do

by Janet Frank, Margo Lundell, Paul Meisel

n a charming rhyme, this 1953 Little Golden Books asks, "What do daddies do all day? Daddies work while children play." It shows daddies working in all kinds of careers, from farming to teaching to even singing in the opera! And it assures children that at the end of the workday, "by taxi, train, by car and bus, Daddy rushes home—to us!" 

Illustrated by Tibor Gergely, who brought the beloved Little Golden Book characters Scuffy the Tugboat and Tootle to life.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Poetry

24 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1953

Reviews

[Luisa Knight]

Colorful and detailed illustrations show children what daddies do all day while they are playing. They are working, of course, and there’s a rhyming list of occupations you’re lead through. But the things daddies like to do best…

A good one!

Ages: 2 - 6

Content Considerations: nothing to note.

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[Teal Veyre]

I don't usually read kids books, but this was available on the front page of my library's Overdrive page (for Father's Day) and the nostalgia hit me. I loved reading Little Golden Books as a kid.

This is one I'd never read.

It was cute and I liked the illustrations. However, all it talked about was dads working. A book that is supposed to be all about Fathers only talks about Fathers making money. It's definitely very financially objectifiying for men. There's way more to being a father than making money. This was briefly touched on with the ending, but why gloss over actually spending time with the kids? Why is bulk of the book focused on providing?

[Robert Beveridge]

Janet Frank, Daddies: All About the Work They Do (Golden Press, 1953)

I know I should be complaining about how sexist this book is blah blah blah reinforces stereotypes blah blah blah women can do blah blah blah. And all of it is true, and valid, and had this book been written today, or even in the eighties, I would probably have been sitting there shocked that something like this got past the editorial board. (That said, Golden did publish the execrable Polly's Pet in 1984.) But honestly, I was kind of delighted to find a book that mentioned fathers at all in their catalog that I didn't have a problem with it. Well, not much of one. And all that stuff is in the back of my head, and keeping me from unhesitatingly recommending it; looked at from a modern perspective, I'm not sure I would go so far as to call it sexist, but it's rather, um, non-inclusive. That said, it's pretty easy to amend a little talk about how mommies are just as capable of driving trucks, teaching braille, acting, etc. as daddies are, and problem (kind of) solved. I'd like to think so, anyway, because from a technical perspective the book is flawless; the rhythm is dead on, the rhymes perfect, the illustrations affable and engaging. Simply put, I like the silly thing, even if I keep thinking I shouldn't. ** ½

[Kirsti]

I recently went to a museum exhibit about illustrated children's books and got really into the work of Tibor Gergely, so I ordered a secondhand copy of this book he illustrated. My copy is a 2011 reprint, and I imagine it will be the last reprint because the book (originally published in 1953) has dated content. Daddies still work in factories and offices and mines, but there's no indication in this book that mommies work outside the home too—although plenty of them did, even back then.

[Erin]

This is a great classic Golden Book showing how things used to be when Daddies worked and came home to their families after a long day. The text is simple and rhyming and evokes nostalgia for when life was normal. My daughter loved it and was thrilled to see the whole family of five and their pets at the end.

[Gladimore]

The story was nice, made my heart happy even, however, the illustrations lack of diversity (yes I know it is an old book) disappointed me. Why do we still have the old version available? I would be so happy if someone made a book like this that was illustrated to reflect the gorgeous diversity of our beautiful, yet flawed world.

[Christina]

Heartwarming!

This is a beautiful book about the different sorts of workdays experienced by fathers everywhere. This will be a repeat read for us.

[Aarushi Puri]

Very cute, however there are only white dads in this book. Christmas present for Daddy 2018.

[Jean Bowen]

My 3 and 1 yr old's favorite little golden book. We read it several times before bed.

[Lisa]

A sweet golden book classic.

[Sara Bland]

This book was ok. The book goes through and shows examples of "daddies" performing many different job duties and fulfilling the typical "white, 1950's husband" role. I realize that this book was written in a different time, but I don't think it is the best example of what fathers can do in the present era. There were no pictures of any minorities, and no women were shown working. This might be a good history lesson, but it is not current with the times.

[Chelsey]

I used to read this book to my mother; it was her favorite book when she was growing up!

[John Yelverton]

A classic and wonderful book that will bring a tear to your eye.

[Jessica]

Stereotypical gendering.

[Brent]

Awww... great stuff.

[Joy]

Sweet book.

[Mckinley]

Work (outside the house) that fathers do so they can "rush home to us".