Every daddy is different. In a world where manliness and masculinity are often stereotyped under certain headings, Some Daddies introduces children to two different concepts: First, not all dads are like my dad. Second, dads can do lots of different things and have lots of different interests. The first concept is great for younger kids, who are just learning that family structures and relationships are different in different families. The second concept provides a gentle, implicit corrective to the way dads/men can be stereotyped in our culture. 

 

Some Daddies explores dadliness in all of its forms, showing kids that Dad are Real People with Real Interests (a third important lesson for kids! Parents are people, too!) From the way they look and dress, to the way they behave or the interests they have, to their personalities, dads are diverse individuals who parent and play with their kids in a variety of ways. I especially appreciated that Some Daddies highlighted adoptive dads and father figures, as well as step-families and families with same-sex parents. Every child and every dad will feel included and it’s fun to find “your dad” amid the mix. 

 

The illustrations in Some Daddies accentuates the theme of diversity, showcasing a truly wide array of skin tones, hair colors, ethnicities, and backgrounds. There are dads with no hair, dads with a lot of hair, dads with glasses, dads using wheelchairs, dads wearing a turban, big dads, small dads, younger dads, older dads, and more. There’s enough on the page to be eye-catching, but not so much that it’s overwhelming. Whether for Father’s Day or just any old reason, Some Daddies is a fun tribute to the dads in our lives.