posted on 15 Oct 2017

Daddy and I by Lou Treleaven, illustrated by Sophie Burrows

This is a poignant picture book with a cover showing a little girl riding high on her daddy's shoulders, her long pink stripey scarf flying out behind her as they walk together through the fields. Both are smiling with their eyes closed and the message is clearly that this is going to be a very happy story.

The end papers are festooned with softly coloured wild flowers and confirm that this is going to be about people who love spending time with nature. Every Saturday is known as 'Daddy day' and on the first page we see the two preparing for a walk. It seems that they live in an idyllic looking white cottage in the depths of the countryside that is ideal for adventures. But they go beyond what is really on offer because, as many people know, young children have great imaginations which make it such a delight to spend time with them:

 

'We go down the lane. There are more and more trees And Dad finds a puddle right up to his knees.

But I see a swamp and a crocodile's eye.

We're jungle explorers, my Daddy and I.'

The gentle rhyming text continues perfectly complemented by sweeps of watercolored illustrations that show an idyllic relationship. The atmosphere hums with summer colours of greens and blues as they enjoy lying in the grass looking up and seeing cloud pictures in the sky; playing Pooh sticks from a little bridge across a stream; staring up in wonder at the huge trees in the dark forest, and hiding quietly in the bushes watching a squirrel carrying an acorn.

As is often the case in England, the weather takes a turn for the worse and a sudden storm means that they have to run home through the heavy rain. Once again, the feeling of cosiness and security as they eventually dry off and then sit together by the open fire back in the cottage is visceral and conveys a warm happy feeling rather in the tradition of being in Badger's little house in 'The Wind in the Willows'.

This is a beautifully illustrated picture book with a simple message that celebrates the joy of a father and daughter spending long lazy days together - pleasingly romantic but never sentimental.

Karen Argent

October 2017