My Daddy Rules the World: Poems about Dads

by Hope Anita Smith

A picture book of poems that celebrate fathers from a two-time Coretta Scott King Honor--winning poet.

Who is your hero? Who’s your best friend?
Who says he loves you again and again?
Daddy!

Told through the voice of a child, Anita Hope Smith's My Daddy Rules the World collection of poems celebrates everyday displays of fatherly love, from guitar lessons and wrestling matches to bedtime stories, haircuts in the kitchen, and cuddling in bed. These heartwarming poems, together with bold folk-art-inspired images, capture the strength and beauty of the relationship between father and child.

A Christy Ottaviano Book

Genres: Poetry, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Family, Childrens, Juvenile, Realistic Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

Published May 16, 2017

About the author

On her journey to becoming an award-winning author, Hope Anita Smith has been a storyteller, teacher, photographer, artist and a singer. Her first book, THE WAY A DOOR CLOSES won several awards including, The Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award, the Judy Lopez award from the Women's National Book Association, the Lee Bennett Hopkins Honor, the Claudia Lewis Award from Bank Street College and it was chosen as one of the Best Books of the Year by School Library Journal 2004.

The sequel, entitled KEEPING THE NIGHT WATCH, is due to hit the shelves in the spring of 2008. She will follow that with another book that she wrote and illustrated INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO LOSE A MOTHER and Other Poems. Ms. Smith's first foray into illustration has opened yet another door to her, what appear to be, endless talents. The images, done in torn paper, are powerful and emotionally stimulating.

Her company,INKED WELL WORDS, has her teaching writing "wordshops" to writers of every age. She encourages her students to find their 'voice' using paint chips, random words, found objects, magazine pictures. And she sometimes teaches bookmaking workshops allowing her students to create personalized journals to house their creations.

Wanting to make sure her students get a feel for the 'behind the scenes' of being a published author, Hope conducts assemblies (mini musicals and or/ a Keynote presentation) that takes you from Idea to Hardbound book.

Hope Anita Smith currently resides in Beverly Hills, California.

Reviews

[Jaime]

Nice poems about dads. My son was identifying with many of the dads and I felt a variety of dad personality types were reflected in the poems.

[Alex]

My Daddy Rules the World: Poems about Dads by Hope Anita Smith is an anthology of poems about dads. Smith included fifteen poems in her collection. These poems focus on the everyday activities between a child and their dad, including dancing, reading, and playing catch. There is also a poem titled “Love Letter” that a boy writes to his father who is deployed with the military. Her poems include a great deal of rhyming whether it be every other line or back to back lines. The rhyming, coupled with the simple word choice, would draw in young readers. Smith also created the illustrations for the poems. She used torn paper to create collages to depict fathers, daughters, and sons. She uses a variety of skin tones but does not include facial features on the people. I wonder if she chose to do this in order to allow the reader to envision their father’s face on the illustration. I was unable to find a YouTube video or audio version of this collection of poems. However, I was able to find a website that listed 6 of the 15 poems, along with the illustrations. I feel that I got a good sense of the poems from this resource but I wish I would have been able to see the full version.

[Written Melodies]

Oh, such a wonderful celebration of dads! The illustrations perfectly depict each poem. The faceless pictures allow readers to imagine themselves as the child and their father as the dad in each poem. Although I love every poem, my favorites are "Some Dads," "Remember This," "My First Book," and "My Daddy." I cried while reading a few of them. I recommend every library: classroom, public, and school to have a copy of this book.

[Barbara]

Just in time for Father's Day but useful all year round, this collection of 15 poems celebrates fathers and all the small acts that make them so important to their children. I'm tempted to say that the poems provide tips for how to be a good father to anyone who is struggling with that as well as offering reasons for the rest of us to give our dads a hug because of the simple things they do and are to us. Since the poet uses the voice of a child to express emotions or to describe these fathers, the sentiments become particularly relevant for young readers. Even the opening poem captures what a child might notice about his/her father: "My daddy is a porcupine / with whiskers that are prickly. //" (unpaged) and then ending with "My daddy is a big brown bear / with arms that hug me tight.//" (unpaged). These are actions and experiences that happen every day--a hug, a wrestling match, a shared meal--and might be disregarded as well as those special moments--dancing, playing catch, giving a guitar lesson, riding a bike, and even providing reassurance that even when the child has done something wrong, his father still loves him. There's even a poem, "Love Letter," that captures the feeling of a child whose father is not close by while serving in the armed forces. I also was pleased to see "My First Book," which shows the importance of the shared experience of reading between a father and his child. Appropriately, the last poem, which inspired the book's title, "My Daddy Rules the World," captures perfectly the respect and admiration of one child who sees his father as a superhero whose presence reassures him: "..I'm not scared of anything-- / my daddy rules the world//" (unpaged). The artist's use of torn paper collages works quite well for the images that accompany each poem. I cannot imagine a youngster reading these poems who won't find something with which to relate or something for which to be grateful while any fathers who read the poems can take pride in the fact that what they do every day matters. "When Daddy Is Sleeping" made me smile since it captures so perfectly how many youngsters react as they watch a parent sleeping and making some very strange sounds.

[Tasha]

Coretta Scott King Award winner Smith returns with a new collection of poetry and illustrations that focuses on fathers. The book shows fathers who make breakfast and chat contrasted with others whose work keeps them far away but still in contact. There are fathers who cut hair, others who dance, others who wrestle or play catch. They teach their children to ride bikes or play instruments or read. Each poem is told in the voice of the child of that father and shows how very different dads can be but that they all love their children completely.

Smith writes poetry that is thoughtful and honed. She makes sure that it is appropriate for the young audience, inviting young readers to explore poetry and see themselves in it. The poems are misleadingly simple, not showing the skill that it takes to write at this level and with such apparent ease.

Smith’s illustrations are diverse and inclusive. With her torn paper illustrations, she makes sure to show families of various races and multiracial families. There is a warmth to the illustrations and a folk-art element that underlines the richness of being a father and in a family.

A strong collection of poems for young people, ideal to share with fathers. Appropriate for ages 7-10.

[ERICA]

My Daddy Rules the World is a picture book of poems written by Anita Smith to honor fathers. The poems in the book speaks about different activities and experiences that a father may have with their child (learning how to ride a bike, playing baseball, dancing together, learning how to play a guitar). The descriptions in the poem are colorful and vivid that its almost as if you were there. Just like the author wrote poems about fathers, children can write their own poems about their fathers or male hero. The poems can include: fun facts about their father/hero, activities that they enjoy together, something that their father/hero has taught them. This book brings back memories of me and my grandfather. I remember in primary school writing about my grandfather being my hero. I remember being in his garden with him and he would be tilling the ground and dropping seeds. I would step on each of those holes as they dropped. All my grandfather would say was "watch out baby girl" but he never stopped me from walking behind him. I can also recall that he wore this navy blue coveralls, and he would always have a mound of change in his pockets that he would give to me. I have endless memories in my heart.

[Margaret]

There is not a day that passes without me thinking of my dad. Something will trigger a memory of something he said or something he did. There was nothing that man could not mend. More than twenty years have come and gone but the sound of his laughter rings inside my mind as if he's in the room with me.

I can still see him sitting after a hard day's work in "his" chair reading one of his beloved historical fiction titles. After reading My Daddy Rules the World: Poems about Dads (Christy Ottaviano Books, Henry Holt And Company, May 16, 2017) poems and illustrations by Hope Anita Smith, my deepest desire is to be able to read these poems to him. They speak of the love children hold in their hearts forever for their fathers.


My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book*]

Smith, Hope My Daddy Rules the World: Poem about Dads, PICTURE BOOK. Christy Ottaviano Books(HenryHolt), 2017. $18.

This book features short poems about dads. Dads that are in the military, dads that read to you, dads that make you laugh, dads that play baseball, and many more. Illustrations are collage style.
The rhyming schemes in the book would be incredibly easy for student’s readers to understand and enjoy. Every reader would find a dad poem that reminded them of their own dad. The face less collage style illustrations may help readers to see themselves and their fathers in the imagery, but kind of creeped me out personally.

EL(K-3) –ADVISABLE. Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...

[Ashtyn Butler]

The theme of this book was all about the things that dads do for their children big and small. It focuses on the natural love that children have for their dads. I loved this book and how positive it was. It has a feel-good nature to it that made it so enjoyable to read through. I find the art in this book to be really cool. The pictures seem to be created from torn pieces of paper. The pictures in the story do not have any faces which is cool because the reader can then imagine or insert who they want the people to be. Also, the people are depicted as many different races. I love this because it is inclusive and can be read by anybody! The illustrations are simple and show the people doing tasks that average people do which allows the reader to relate to the poems no matter who they are or where they come from.

[RLL22017 Jackie Reynoso]

My Daddy Rules the World by Hope Anita Smith is a heartwarming book that includes lots of rhyming poems about Dads. I really enjoyed reading the book because it illustrates how children feel about their fathers, activities they enjoy doing with them and how they help them learn. These poems surely capture meaningful moments between father and child that it will allow children to relate to at least one of the poems. My favorite poem was “Learning to Ride” because it made me recall when my dad taught me how to ride a bike and use rollerblades. I also like how the pictures display multicultural families. Recommend for pre-k – 2nd grade.

[Heidi-Marie]

Reading for 2017 Beehive Poetry long list nominees. When I first read through this, I liked most of the poems. But now that we're in a slightly different dad situation, I was disappointed none seemed to cover that. But on a second read through, I saw that various aspects still did. And that it is nice to see many types of dads portrayed. Many children will be able to find at least one poem they can relate to. Even the illustrations with the featureless faces allow if for the kids to be able to connect themselves more with the child speaking. And it is always nice to see a well-done Dad book these days.

[Cassandra M]

This book contains poems about the relationship between a child and their dad. I really loved how the illustrations were a silhouette of the father and child. I also thought this book had everyday scenarios that children would find it easy to relate to. For example, what you do when daddy sleeps, how daddy makes breakfast on Sunday mornings, or how you miss daddy when he is away. I would use this book to model poetry with students. There is rhyming included, and descriptive words to help visualize the poem. Students might even want to write their very own poem about their relationship with their dad, or another family member if they don't have a dad, after reading this.

[Niki Marion]

Honestly idk how Smith gets these paper torn illustrations so perfectly precise. They're magnificent. I also love the variety of representation: Smith includes all skin types, and not every dad & child "match." For me, this reinforces the truth that families come in all shapes, colors, and sizes, and whether related by blood or not, whether children resemble their parents or not, the love a parent has for their child trumps all other considerations.

I hate holiday-marketed books, but this is truly an excellent gift for dads and dad-types everywhere for Fathers' Day, or any day.

[Sandy Brehl]

This isn't the first (or last) collection of poems I'll read about Dads, (or Moms or families in general) but it does offer some very special qualities. The author/illustrator's approach uses stark white backgrounds with collage art that feels comfortably familiar and yet suggests distinct ethnicities and styles. Collage can be somewhat static in effect, but these are filled with action and emotion, scaffolding the universality of the text, the relationships, and the strength a child can gain from consistent engagement with a trusted Dad-figure.

[Jana]

This is a terrific, heartwarming collection of poems celebrating fathers. The poems are playful, heartfelt, and whimsical as they show dads in all the different roles they play: musicians, barbers, and sports coaches. Illustrated with torn paper collages in warm, inviting colors, this picture book would be an awesome gift on Father's Day or for expectant dads. It would also make a great addition to the poetry collection in any classroom library.

[Rebecca Ratnasingham]

-Beautiful collection of poems about Dad (some silly, some serious)
-ex) poem about dad faraway, poem about stay at home dad, poem about a dad and son after the son has been disciplined, poem about reading a book with dad (could spark a conversation about who I like to read with at home?)

-Can use for poetry exploration
-Could be difficult for children who do not have father figures in their life

[Ashley]

There should be more information and thanks to dads out there. My favorite poem was the one about the stay-at-home dad. Men get crap for that, but women get crap for staying at home too. So who takes care of the kids? I love how one poem is about a kid getting in trouble, but the dad still loving him. I love the poem about a kid wanting to play catch but dad is too busy ... until he's there suddenly. These are great poems celebrating dads!

[Lauren]

Poetry is one of my favorite things to read when I have to. Reading this book that has many different poems about a special figure in all children lives is something that makes it so relatable to young children. Especially when it has many different types of poems which have a different occasion when we interact with our fathers. this book will be great for like after day to show them how much we should appreciate them so much.

[Melissa]

My favorite poem is Remember This, which uses the picture from the book cover. I liked how the fathers were depicted in different jobs and roles in life. The illustrations were creative in showing different ethnicity, but at the same time showing no real facial features, so it could be anyone's dad.

[Jo Oehrlein]

A selection of poems about dads, illustrated with torn paper collages.

The poems aren't all about the same dad. One is a stay at home dad. Another is a military dad who is deployed. There's a dad who has disciplined a child for doing wrong. And a dad who holds early morning dates with his kid while everyone else is asleep.

[Bisma]

I found this book while searching for award winning poetry. It is the perfect themed book. It is Poems about dads. We can use this poetry book before a Father’s Day project. We can cut out one of the poems and add to an art project in a younger grade. These poems would be great for preschool-first grade.

[Mary]

These are really accessible poems about dads in all kinds of situations. Dads of different shades are represented, and the illustrations are done in paper collage. Readers will recognize their own dads in at least one of these poems!

[Jess]

June 2017 - Poems that work great for reading aloud, showing all different kinds of father/child relationships. Some funny, some heartfelt. Ben was worried that things were ripped in the pictures, since they're torn-paper collage!

[Teresa Reads]

Hope Smith lovingly and accurately describes the many roles of fathers through her wonderful poetry. Fathers comfort. Fathers teach. Fathers support. And so much more. Smith tenderly reminds us that fathers matter; that men matter; and the family relationships matter. Fabulous book!

[Beverly]

Reviewed for Mock Caldecott Awards. This is a very sweet book of poems which celebrates fatherhood in all it's variations. I wasn't wild about the actual illustrations because none of the people had faces but it could be the author left them blank with the intentions of letting the child who reads the book (or has it read to them) picture his/her face along with their father's face.

[Caitlyn Davis]

I love this compilation of poetry because I am a huge daddy's girl, so this is a book of poetry that could be used around Father's Day, but you definitely need to know your classroom (if in school) before incorporating it because you do not want students to feel left out or uncomfortable.

[Becca]

Rather amorphous illustrations of diverse father/child pairings; the thing I like about this book is the positive light in which it portrays fathers interacting with their children, something which is rather left out among all those lovey books with mother/daughter pairings.

[MaryLibrarianOH]

Poetry that shows how important dads are in their children's lives. I especially like the illustrations that are done in collage without any faces.

[Joan Arbogast]

Precious! Precious! Precious! What a celebration for father and child. Universal sentiments. Inclusive artwork. A great Father's Day gift, too!

[Pam]

Wonderful to see a book about dads who are actively involved in their children's lives. These poems show a variety of experiences between children and their dads.