About the Holiday

Celebrate National Family Month and get ready for Father’s Day with today’s endearing book that will quickly become a family favorite! Observed during the five weeks between Mothers Day and Fathers Day, National Family Month was established by KidsPeace, a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping children and families since 1882. Leading into the school vacation season, the holiday encourages families to spend more time working, playing, talking, reading, and just hanging out together.

Helping Daddy

Written by Angel Dike | Illustrated by Ebony Glenn

Daddy and his little one are having a busy day! First up is laundry, all freshly washed and dried and neatly folded in tall piles in the basket. Daddy’s just folding one more shirt . . . . Baby wants to do laundry too. Then the cat joins in. Wait! What does Daddy see? All of his laundry is tossed about. So now what? “Daddy is cleaning.” Next, “Daddy is cooking.” His tiny helper says, “Me too!” and in no time is surrounded by spilled macaroni while the cat is dusted in flour. What’s a dad to do? “Daddy is cleaning.”

After eating—and cleaning—it’s time to head outside. Daddy digs gently in the garden while his youngster gives the plants a good watering. Then comes . . . a cleaning. No busy day is complete without a bubble bath, and a good . . . laugh. As the day comes to an end, it’s time to share a story and a sweet, sleepy, “Night, night, Daddy.”

Angel Dike’s debut picture book is a charmer with breezy, minimalistic storytelling that brims with all the unstated particulars of daily chores that individual readers will amusedly supply from their own family experiences. Her perfect pacing of the repeated phrasing “Daddy is . . . / “Me too!” / “Daddy is cleaning” will bring eager giggles from little ones and appreciative chuckles from adults. Dike’s segue to bath time provides a clever and heartwarming twist to this pattern, and as story time leads to sleep, adults will again knowingly acknowledge this nighttime routine with a swelling heart.

Ebony Glenn’s endearing father-child dynamic will have you smiling all the way through this sweet picture book. Her impish toddler just wants to be like Dad, with varying degrees of success but always with fervent enthusiasm. Dad is a star! Bemused, alert, patient, playful, and always caring. Adults will empathize as his eyes droop while his little one’s remain wide open. But there’s one more hug waiting when his baby finally drifts off. Glenn’s lovely soft-hued pages are smartly composed to give youngest readers plenty of homey details to point out and name while leaving room for talking about their own homes. The family’s cat is an adorable companion that kids will love.

Helping Daddy is a loving and humorous read-aloud little ones will want to hear again and again. The book makes a perfect gift for Father’s Day and any gift-giving occasion. It is highly recommended for all libraries and home bookshelves.

Ages 2 – 5

Nosy Crow, 2026 | ISBN 979-8887772714

Angel Dike is a lifelong reader and writer. Helping Daddy is her first published picture book. She lives with her husband and two young sons in Hertfordshire, England. Visit her at angeldike.com.

Ebony Glenn has illustrated several popular picture books, including the best-selling Speak Up! written by Miranda Paul. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia. You can visit her at ebanyglenn.com.

Father’s Day Activity

I Love Dad Building Blocks

This craft will stack up to be a favorite with kids! With wooden blocks and a little chalkboard paint, it’s easy for kids to make these unique building blocks that show dad just how they feel about him. They’re also great for gifts, decorating, party favors, or when you just have a little time to play!

Supplies

• Wooden blocks in various sizes, available from craft stores
• Chalkboard paint in various colors
• Paint brush
• Chalk in various colors

Directions

1. Paint the wooden blocks with the chalkboard paint, let dry
2. Write words or draw pictures on the blocks
3. Have fun!

You can purchase Helping Daddy from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

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