Bertie: Just Like Daddy

by Marcus Pfister

Bertie and his daddy are back for another bouncy, lavishly illustrated read aloud story book perfect for fathers day.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Family, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2009

About the author

Marcus Pfister was born in Berne, Switzerland, and began his career as a graphic artist in an advertising agency. In 1983, he decided to dedicate more time to artistic pursuits, and began to write and illustrate his first book, The Sleepy Owl, which was published in 1986. His best-known work to date is The Rainbow Fish, which has remained on bestseller lists across the United States since 1992.

Marcus does most of his illustrations for children's books in watercolors. He begins each book by stretching watercolor paper over a wooden board so that it won't warp when wet. He then copies his rough sketches onto the paper in pencil. At this point, he is ready to begin painting. For backgrounds and blended contours, he uses wet paint on wet paper to get a softer effect. For sharper details, he first lets the paper dry, then paints the final picture layer by layer. When the illustration is complete he cuts the paper from the wooden board.

For books that feature holographic foil stamping, he then tapes a piece of transparent film over the art and indicates with a black marker where the foil stamping should be. The foil stamping is then applied during the production process after the pages are printed and before the final binding.

Marcus and his wife, Kathryn, work together in Berne, where they live with their three children.

Reviews

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here's a sweet tribute to a young boy's desire to be just like daddy.

The father in this tale is a monumentally good sport. Dialog sample:

Then Daddy starts to cook.
"I want to cook too," says Bertie. "Just like you."
"When you're older, you'll be a great cook," says Daddy.
"Right now, you're a great taster."

Cute ending, too. Not that I'll spoil it, no no!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hippo father knows the right way to handle all the requests from his child to do things just like daddy. He reassures child while pointing out that the child is too young/small to do exactly the same things as daddy. Father's Day tie-in, pattern story.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bertie wants to do things just like daddy, but Bertie is too small. Daddy reassures him that he'll be able to do all these things when he is older.

[Maeve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bertie wants to be just like his Dad.

[Britteny Gilge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a tail of two loveable hippos- a father and his son. Bertie, the son, wants to be just like his dad- drinking coffee, shaving, having a credit card, etc. Every time Bertie asks to do something his father replies “when you are bigger” and gives him something else that he can do instead. Bertie takes pride in his tasks, but wishes he was bigger. My favorite part of the book is when Daddy says that Bertie isn’t big enough to drink coffee and so Bertie stands on a stool raises his hand with excitement and says, “I’m bigger already”. This is a great example of how the illustrations aided to the story and made it comical as well. Throughout the story there is a Hawaiian flower print that is found in every page, I realized this when I was looking through the book again and that it was pretty neat that the illustrator did that.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bertie wants to drink coffee and shave like his daddy. Daddy tells him that he's ready for the foam from coffee and a shaving cream beard. Bertie wants to steer the bike on the way to the story. Daddy tells him that when he's older he'll have his own bike and can steer and pedal at the same time. Bertie wants a credit card just like his daddy. Daddy tells him when he's older he can have one, but today he can hold on to the receipt.

Later Daddy wants to play trains with Bertie. Bertie says Daddy is too grown up. Daddy says he wants to be a kid just like Bertie.

[Hannah Smith-Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute story about Bertie copying the actions of his daddy. He is forced to do actions that are modified but he is still learning how to complete the tasks that his dad completes on a daily basis. It would be a good way to have a discussion about jobs that students have at home and ways to help out around the house. Intended for very young audiences.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bertie spends the day with his dad wanting to perform "dad-like" activities but not quite being able to do so. The next day, his dad wants to play with him and roles are reversed. Characters are adorable hippos.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of a little girl who just wants to be like Daddy. Sweet fun story good read aloud. Ages 3+

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the Bertie books. But it's interesting that the illustrations seem to be depicting a nighttime setting, whereas the text refers to getting ready for a nap.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

zane loves bertie. and i like how he says bertie. a winning combination.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pfister has Bertie expressing the natural frustrations of being young and not being able to do all the things that adults get to do. Happily, Daddy points out all the things Bertie can do.