Papá and Me, by Arthur Dorros, illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez, $16.99. A young Latino boy and his father celebrate a day in the city together, from savory pancakes that Papá compliments — Sabroso! — to puddle-jumping, tree-climbing, sharing stories on the bus and racing each other home.
” Ganador!” they both shout, each one a winner. So is this lively, color-saturated picture book. Ages 4 to 8.
Lance in France, by Ashley MacEachern, illustrated by Michelle Barbera, HarperCollins, $16.99. Here’s a great Father’s Day gift for all the dads climbing on their bicycles for today’s first day of Ride The Rockies.
How does Lance cope with bees, inattentive fans, a high tide, nausea, cattle, a flat tire, aliens and more? “He just pedals . . . faster.” No slow and steady winning the race here, just perseverance and determination. Ages preschool and up.
The Dangerous Alphabet, by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Gris Grimly, $17.99. Gaiman is among the most talented living writers, and his slightly warped, wry worldview aligns perfectly with cult artist Grimly’s.
“A is for Always, that’s where we embark/ B is for Boat, pushing off in the dark/ C is the way that we find and we look/ D is for Diamonds, the bait on the hook.”
Edward Gorey, whose “Gashleycrumbs Tinies” makes a suitable companion book to this one, is looking on, smiling with approval, from his grave. Ages 5 and up, particularly appealing to Goths.
A Day With Dad, by Bo R. Holmberg, illustrated by Eva Eriksson, $15.99. Young Tim, who recently moved to a new town with his mother, can’t wait to meet his dad’s train for their special day together.
Tim introduces everyone they meet — the hot dog seller, the movie-ticket-taker, the waiter at the pizza restaurant, the librarian — to his father.
When Tim sees his dad off on the train at the day’s end, he’s already thinking about the next time it will come back.
Affectionate and sweet, if a little anachronistic in an age when many children of divorce spend equal time with each parent, instead of isolating Dad’s visits to a weekend day. Ages 4 to 8.
The Great White House Breakout, by Helen Thomas and Chip Bok, $16.99. The august White House correspondent and one of the best editorial cartoonists team up for a story about Sam, the overprotected young “first son.” He bounces on Lincoln’s bed, swims in Roosevelt’s pool, swings from chandeliers and chafes under the vigilant Secret Service eyes.
After executing his getaway, Sam visits various D.C. institutions (Smithsonian museums, the Tidal Basin, the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument), heedless of the “Samber Alert” panicking the city. Will he make it back to Mom, who bears an odd, lippy resemblance to a younger Hillary Rodham Clinton? Ages 4 and up.
The Twin Giants, by Dick King-Smith, illustrated by Mini Grey, $16.99. The affable, oversized twin giants Lottavim and Normus do everything together, including searching for suitable spouses. But Normus, a strict vegetarian, wants a like-minded mate, while Lottavim’s dilemma is finding another omnivore.
King-Smith’s bouncy story slyly illustrates concepts (same/different, up/down) with such joy that it’s no wonder the book concludes with a giant hug. Ages 4 to 8.
The 13 Clocks, by James Thurber, illustrated by Marc Simont, introduction by Neil Gaiman, $14.95). Neither fairy tale nor ghost story, but a little of both, Thurber’s singular (and too long out of print) narrative about the cold Duke who schemes to kill Time remains as fresh today as it was in 1950.
It’s guileless enough to satisfy fans of the enterprising Prince and Princess Saralinda, and sufficiently dark enough to please ironic hipsters who will gravitate toward the gelid Duke: “We all have flaws,” the Duke said. “Mine is being wicked.” Ages 9 and up.
