Ask Me

by Bernard Waber, Suzy Lee (Illustrator)

Ask me what I like?

What do you like?

A father and daughter walk through their neighborhood, brimming with questions as they explore their world. With so many things to enjoy, and so many ways to ask—and talk—about them, it's a snapshot of an ordinary day in a world that's anything but. This story is a heartwarming and inviting picture book with a tenderly written story by Bernard Waber and glorious illustrations by Suzy Lee.

PreS-Gr 2—A vivacious child and her father share an early autumn stroll. "Ask me what I like," she says. Dad's dutiful answer is printed in purple: "What do you like?" Energetically she answers with a list. Sometimes dad presses for details, "Geese in the sky? Or geese in the water?" She answers, "I like geese in the sky. No, in the water. I like both. Ask me what else I like," she demands, seeing something new she wants to tell him about. So they proceed through their day, celebrating the brief but precious time when children are gaining a sense of self and exploring the power that comes with it. The patience required to converse with a small person who wants to dictate every part of the interaction is sure to be familiar to parents, but the poetic text rises above the mundane and captures the beauty, energy, and innocence of these conversations and holds them up for readers to appreciate without becoming saccharine or trite. Lee's lively, colored-pencil drawings are a perfect match to the text. The line drawings are similar in style to those in Wave (2008) and Shadow (2010, both Chronicle), but Lee expands from the single-color palette she employed in those titles to a full spectrum of bright autumn colors. VERDICT A first choice for libraries, especially those looking to expand their selection of father-as-caregiver stories.—Anna Haase Krueger, Ramsey County Library, MN

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Family, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Kids, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 14, 2015

About the author

Bernard Waber was the youngest in a creative family. At age 8, he ushered in a movie theater after school, so he often saw only the last ten minutes of a movie. He made a game of inventing beginnings and middles. When he returned from a tour of duty in World War II, he entered the Philadelphia College of Art. With a diploma and a new wife, he traveled to New York City, where he began working for the Condé Nast magazines as an illustrator. Reading books to his three children inspired him to apply his pen and ink and watercolor style to his own picture books. His first book, Lorenzo, was built in 1961. Today, his characters are some of the most beloved in the library. He and his wife, Ethel, live on Long Island.

Reviews

[Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Illustrations: 4.5
Story: 4.5

I love positive representation of male caregivers! A lot of people don't realize how uncommon that is. I get a lot of well-meaning comments about "babysitting" my kid or "playing Mr. Mom" when we're out during the day lol. In this story daughter asks LOTS of questions, as little girls sometimes do, and dad listens patiently and encouragingly. Kind of wordy, but Suzy Lee's illustrations are natural and expressive as always.

Posted in Mr. Philip's Library

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this because I started reading Suzy Lee's smart and breezy and quirky wordless picture books like Wave or Zoo, both so great, and just wanted to check out more from someone I like. I see at a glance that statistically, at least, GR readers like this less than others. I prefer her solo works but this is also very good, the story of a father and young daughter who begins:

Ask me what I like?

What do you like?

So this one obviously has words, Bernard Waber's words, and way more words than Lee would use even when she uses words, I think. But I like the words, that reveal a sweet relationship between Dad and daughter, a father who really listens to her and encourages her to name her world and what she loves about it, and a girl that is curious and enthusiastic, a little motor-mouthy as little kids can adorably (or annoyingly, but this one is adorably) be. The talk feels real, though in general with picture books I prefer fewer words, don't overwhelm the illustrations, let them tell much of the story, but this relationship is great.

And Lee's illustrations don't just tell the story of their conversation. They tell their own story and work with the loves of her world, the world of imagination. Something different Lee is doing in this book is with color, in the text, using it differently than in other books to say what this story needs, though it has her signature pencil sketch and splashy watercolor informal/intimate feel.

[Victor The Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ask Me (My Kindle Review)

This is a simply charming picture book of a father and daughter taking a walk around their neighborhood full of sights, questions and beautifully drawn fall foliage. A- (91%/Excellent)

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

A father and daughter engage in a back-and-forth discussion of the things the little girl likes and loves in this charming picture-book, culminating in a reminder of her upcoming birthday. The accompanying artwork shows them engaging in a variety of activities - walking in the park, getting ice cream, and getting ready for bed - as they go about their day.

A collaborative effort by American author Bernard Waber, better known as the creator of the classic Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile books, and Korean illustrator Suzy Lee, whose wordless picture-books ( Wave , Shadow ) have won recent acclaim, Ask Me is a heartwarming look at the loving bond between a father and daughter. The give and take in their dialogue - the entire text of the book - indicates a close relationship between them, and hints at an entire back-history of previous outings. The colorful artwork, done entirely in pencil, captures the fun of their day together. Recommended to anyone looking for good picture-books featuring fathers and daughters.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ask me what I like.

I really liked this book. It perfectly captures the way some little girls pepper their parents with questions about all sorts of things. I also really the sweet relationship between this father and daughter. The text changes color depending on which of them is speaking, which I also really liked.

Ask me what I love.

I love Suzy Lee's colored pencil illustrations. I've seen only one other of her books and loved that one's illustrations too. The colors are so vibrant.

[Shafira Indika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gemes! Ilustrasinya bagus dan ceritanya juga heartwarming walaupun singkat.

Buku ini bercerita tentang seorang anak perempuan dan ayahnya yang lagi jalan2 di taman dan ngobrol2 gitu. Obrolannya sebenernya cmn kykk si anak minta ditanyain gitu apa yg dia suka, terus ayahnya nanya, dan kemudian dijawab sama anaknya, dijelasin gitu apaaja yang dia suka gitu-gitu dehh. Terus diulang lagi anaknya minta tanyain sesuatu, terus ayahnya nanyain hal tsb, lalu dijawab lagi. Gitu gitu aja sihh tp seneng liatnya! Keren idenya

[Laura Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just wonderful. Mr. Waber would have loved the illustrations. A+++++

[Jackie Ostrowicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet father and daughter book. I had no idea this was published posthumously by the author of Lyle the Crocodile. The daughter asks her father to ask her what she likes---she prattles on; her father (obviously amused and affectionate) gives brief answers and keeps her talking with an easy give and take.

The girl’s words appear in black type and the father’s in dark blue, so readers know who is speaking despite the untagged dialogue and lack of quotation marks.

Suzy Lee's illustrations always delight.

[SamZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so beautiful and perfect and wonderful! I love the concept of the daddy/daughter date, and the way the daddy listens to his little girl prattle on and on about all the things she likes. The drawings are so gorgeous and complement the simplicity of this story so perfectly. I know I'm gushing, but basically I read this at the library and immediately ordered a copy for myself on Amazon. Such a beautiful book!

[Beckyt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love love love this book! So sweet! Other reviewers have pointed out the special relationship of the father and daughter and the sweet ordinariness of their outing.
The illustrations blew me away! Gorgeous! Suzy Lee has a new fan....

[Mahdiye Fateh · Rating 5 out of 5]

فکر کنم نتوانم ریویوی درخوری برای این کتاب محبوبم بنویسم. همین بس که جزء نور چشمیها در قفسه ی کتابخانه است.

[Azori Blomkvist · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bonitas ilustraciones

[Relyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet story about a day-long conversation between father and daughter would be a terrific bedtime story. Plus, it asks one of my most favorite questions, "Tell me what you like."

Oh, thank you for asking. I like Suzy Lee's spare illustrations. I like the way Bernard Waber understands children. I like tender stories that do not pontificate or talk down to children. I like strong color and picture book art that leaves room for the imagination. I like books with conversation starters built right in.

I like this book

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

uno dei miei albi preferiti. Stupendo

[Ashley Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful depiction of a young girl and her dad. Their relationship is beautifully founded on questions they ponder while walking through nature.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Suggested Grade Levels: Pre-K through 2nd Grade
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Themes: Family, Growing-Up
Awards: Kirks Reviews Best Children’s Books of 2015

This is a soft and cheerful story of a little girl and her father spending a fall day together at the park. Throughout the book the little girl has her father ask her questions about what she likes and she responds back to him telling him the things she likes such as the geese in the sky, riding on horses, ice cream cones, etc. The book covers themes of a father daughter connection. The father is always there for her questions and tells her he loves her and will never forget what she loves. The book is perfect for young readers. It covers the warm feelings of family and being special. The story is simple covering a day at the park with a child and father. Many children will be able to relate to this. There is a repetition of words that allows readers to follow along and hidden funny illustrations in the background to keep the reader looking.

The illustrations are done in colored pencil and focus around the red and orange autumn colors, giving the reader the feeling of walking along with the father and daughter through the park in the fall. The red leaves are scattered along several pages in the book just as if the fall wind had blown them through the book. The use of colored pencils gives the illustrations a soft feel, which is perfect for this simple storyline.

This book would be a good book to use in a family unit with children. The father and daughter spend the day playing at the park together. This could be used as a mentor text for young writers to give ideas of what something special is that they do with their parents that they could write about. Do they go to the pool, zoo or museum with their family? What do they do and how does it make them feel. The students could share their books when they were completed to help the class develop diversity in learning what different families do together.

[Ollie Skyba · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly beautiful edition, with colored-pencil illustrations that make the pages feel cozy, as if you’re coloring your own imagination while reading. The story is simple and tender: a little girl walks with her dad, asking him, “Ask me what I like?” and joyfully sharing everything she sees - bright autumn leaves, geese flying south, ice cream… It’s like a warm conversation between parent and child captured on paper.

(ᵔᴥᵔ)っ📚

Удивительно красивое издание. Иллюстрации, рисованные цветными карандашами, и от этого глазу так уютно, будто ты сам раскрашиваешь свое представление, пока читаешь книгу. История же простая, девочка, гуляя с папой, все просит его: "Спроси меня, что мне нравится?" и рассказывает, комментируя все вокруг, что видит, - яркую осеннюю листву, улетающих гусей, мороженое и тд.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh how I love this book. Growing up I spent a lot of time with my father (my mother tended to work evenings and weekends), and I’m always delighted to come across picture books featuring children and fathers or other male caregivers (mothers seem to dominate the picture book world).

I love Suzy Lee, and I love her illustrations in this book. The simple, lovely pencil illustrations with their rich, vibrant washes of colour just warm my heart.

I love the text. I was a nonstop chatterbox as a child, and my dad developed coping mechanisms to deal with the nonstop flow of pint-sized chatter, smiling and nodding and inserting comments every now and then, just like the patient dad in the story.

In short, I really, really love this book.

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute back-and-forth dialogue picture book of a father and daughter's day at the park. The father's and daughter's lines are printed in different color inks, to better differentiate, except I found the two colors to be a bit too similar to easily tell apart. On a few pages, I had to really concentrate to know which was which.

I like that the story features a father/daughter pair, instead of the typical father/son or mother/child pairings. The illustrations are lovely color pencil illustrations in a rich autumnal color palette.

Note: I received an unbound proof of this book from the publisher.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Best thing about this is that it features a father and daughter. So nice to see a dad! Pencil illustrations are filled with color and warmth as the father and daughter go for a walk and finally end up at bedtime. The text is their conversation as the girl tells her father what she likes...after telling him to ask the questions she wants to answer. Free flowing, realistic conversation with a young child. A quiet story of an everyday event, the story shows the loving relationship of parent and child. Best for one on one sharing. It might take a little explaining about who is speaking. The text does change colors to delineate between father and daughter.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yes! for the art, which carries the story forward so lightly, and is so gorgeous and engaging.

Alas, I kept tripping over the format -- and wished so much it could work. It seems so close. I love the idea of a conversation, and this one feels authentic. But I couldn't quite keep straight who was speaking. And perhaps the biggest obstacle: I couldn't imagine reading this out loud -- which you'd have to, because this feels best to share with a 5 year old?

Also, I hunger for more. This feels another in this genre of picture book that is meant to help an adult tell a child how special they are. Important, yes, but it doesn't fill the sails as full as I think they can be.

[Bill Landau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love everything about this book. The illustrations are just plain beautiful. The text is so authentic. And the story is heartfelt. It reminds me so much of days spent wandering and exploring with my two daughters...and it makes me miss that part of my life, now that they are all grown up. Loved it.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great conversation starter book with a child. What do you like? Also just a sweet story of interaction between an adult (Dad) and child. It's always amazing what you will learn when you stop to really talk with a child.

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

Different speakers designated by different color text.
Younger kids wanting more of a narrative may be disappointed.
Pictures are colorful pencil sketches.
Overall, colorfully illustrated illustrations but lack of narrative story might not appeal to everyone.

[Jesse · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sadly, I really did not like this book. The illustrations are lovely, don't get me wrong. But the book is seriously annoying. I did not think the call and respond format worked well. Every single time I was confused by who was asking what.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was fun, I'm just not entirely sold on the style by which it's conveyed. Perhaps if you read the book with two different voices - one for the father and one for the daughter - it would be better? Otherwise I can see children getting lost and becoming disengaged.

Ages 4+

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow! Great colored pencil illustrations that pop off the page.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Father-daughter book. Lovely illustrations.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It is one of my favorite thing to ask kids about things, I often learn a lot.

[Tahani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations.
Wonderful relationship between a daughter and her dad.
Perfect picture book.