You Be Daddy

by Karla Clark, Steph Lew (Illustrator)

A tired daddy lets his son have a turn being the parent at bedtime in Karla Clark's You Be Daddy, a humorously charming companion picture book to You Be Mommy, featuring illustrations by Steph Lew.

Daddy’s too tired to be Daddy tonight.
Can you be Daddy and hug me tight?

In this clever, rhyming picture book, a father tells his child that he's simply too tired to be Daddy tonight and asks his son to take over for him.

An utterly relatable theme told with humor and heart provides a story parents and children will delight in reading together at bedtime.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2021

About the author

Karla Clark wanted to be an author when she was a child...then she wanted to be an artist. She feels very blessed to be both. Her passion for writing comes from her father who was a consummate storyteller. She is the author of six books—three novels, a book of short stories, and two children’s picture books. She has made over 100 visits to local women’s book clubs from 2003-2018, is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustartors, Rockford Arts Council, and Chicago Writer’s Association.

Karla lives in Rockford, Illinois, with her husband and adult autistic son. She has a degree in journalism from Northern Illinois University. When she's not writing, she's creating decoupage paper collages that she sells at an annual art show which she hosts each year in her hometown. Email her at Karla.clark@comcast.net or visit her website at karlaclark author.com.

Reviews

[Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very cute book, and I imagine the ideal reading situation is a little one sitting down to have dad read this aloud. I haven't read the mom version, but this seems like a great way for a kid to learn about and appreciate all the things a parent does in their day. I'm conflicted though - as a former anxious and always-guilty kind of quiet kid (and current adult version of that), I have to say that I imagine there's a kid out there who's going to feel really guilty and apologetic for needing a parent's time and attention after their tiresome day. I know this because I *still* got that impression from reading, even though I'm a fully grown person. As a child, the takeaway for me *absolutely* would have been, sorry you had to sit in traffic and deal with work and the house stuff AND NOW you have to deal with me, of course I will help out and not demand bedtime stories etc. So maybe just a reader recommendation if you think your kid takes things very literally!

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our book today is You Be Daddy, written by Karla Clark and illustrated by Steph Lew, a natural companion title to Clark’s previous book, You Be Mommy.

As with You Be Mommy, a tired parent – a father this time – jokingly mentions how exhausted he is, and makes a request of his youngest child: “Can you be Daddy?”. Gamely, his young song runs his father a bubble bath (with fun bath toys, of course), then builds a bedtime fort for two. As the two prepare for “Daddy’s” bedtime, Dad recounts the busy, taxing day he had: crazy traffic, cooking, cleaning up messes, paying bills, and making time for play. His youngest son is happy to make sure he is tucked in with a cuddly stuffie and a warm nightlight, taking care of dad just the way that dad takes care of him… until the little boy needs to put into his own bed, of course. Then Dad does what dads do, and finds the energy to make sure his kiddo is taken care of.

Very sweet. As with You Be Mommy, the concept of switching the parent-child roles during bedtime is done with humor and affection, creating a playful moments between a fictional father and child that readers can identify with. It also gives young readers a glimpse into all that parents do for their kids during the day, creating empathy for when their own parents might be a little worn out before bedtime. Lew’s illustrations are lovely, giving warmth and charm to the characters with details like the son’s clear love of dinosaurs, as well as visual representations of the family’s Chinese heritage within their home. There are also clues within the artwork that, unlike You Be Mommy, this is a two-parent household; this doesn’t detract from the quality of the story, but does feel like a missed opportunity to represent single fathers, who are a marginalized demographic in kidlit. Otherwise, the length is perfect for a bedtime book, and JJ loved the artwork and gentle story. This would make a great read for any father and child to share, and it’s Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Lyra Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely rhyming picture book, that has a very relatable theme for parents.

The concept of switching roles is told with heart and humour which makes a great story for parents to share with children. It gives children a glimpse into the world of their parents and should create empathy for when their parents appear to be worn out.

In the story we have a dad who jokingly mentions how exhausted he is and makes a request to his son “Daddy’s too tired to be daddy tonight. Can you be daddy and hug me tight?”
His son then runs runs through the nighttime routine. From building a fort, to running a bath and makes sure he is tucked up. At the end of the book when the son is tired, the dad steps back into ‘dad’ mode to make sure he is taken care of.

This book is a celebration to dads everywhere who work just as hard when they get home.

I also like this book as it shows a dad as a primary caregiver which we don’t see as often.

The illustrations are adorable, full of warmth and charm, showing great details and the representations of the family’s Chinese heritage within their home.

I want to read the rest of the collection of ‘you be mummy’ and ‘you be grandma’.

[Amanda Batarseh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this book was so sweet and cute. I enjoyed reading it and looking at all the cute pictures and illustrations. I also really loved the Asian representation that was in the book since the main characters are Asian. It was about a dad and son and it talked about how the dad was very tired from doing so much for his family so he was asking his son to be the "dad" and tuck him in and do all the dad stuff. At the end the son was tired so the dad became the dad again and tucked his son in and it was so sweet. Really good book!!

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Art - 4 stars
Story - 2 stars

I love the illustration style - hopefully we see Lew work on more books in the future.

I wasn't that impressed by the book as a whole, though. There's not much of a story - it's a dad coming home from work, describing all he's done during the day that have exhausted him, and asking his son to switch roles over his usual tasks of running the bath, and getting tucked in. The rhyming text flows alright, but since there's not much plot I didn't find the text all that interesting.

[Jacob Schmitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daddy is exhausted and requests his son to take on the role of Daddy, tucking him in for the night. This endearing and touching board book highlights the tasks a father might perform before bedtime and why he appreciates being looked after. It portrays a delightful exchange between a son and his father. A wonderful display of digital art that has a couple pages with multiple panels, which is refreshing to see in a board book.

[Jared White · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute book about a daddy who had a long day so his son is the daddy for bedtime, at least until the son decides he wants to be tucked in for the night.

One reason I like this book is it shows the dad as the primary caregiver and, I think, he is a single parent.

[Valleri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This imaginative, endearing book is a wonderful read before bedtime or any time you want to enjoy a valuable bonding moment with your child. While dad had a long day, he playfully entreats his child to do the parenting for the night.

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Kris Dersch · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's really cute but is it okay to admit that I'm biased and like You Be Mommy Better?

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tired daddy gets some much needed love from his son.

[Sarah Limb · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a sweet book but it lacks something that could bring a sparkle to the story!

[Rolf · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute book about kids thinking through the work of parents.

[Kelly Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a charming book! Rhyming verse celebrating dads and all they do. A dad and his son switch roles for their nighttime routine because "daddy's too tired to be daddy tonight." Bright graphic illustrations, easy-to-follow storyline (especially impressive given the difficult concept), and just so sweet!