'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Sunday, 1 September 2024

Review: My Dad, My Rock

This wholesome story about the special bond between a father and son, is a complex tapestry of all the good feeling things that family can bring – love, empowerment and belonging.

Told in the young boy’s voice, the clear and engaging text is combined with warm, expansive pictures that contain recurring motifs, to create a rich yet understated sense of magic.

If I could meet my grandpa, this is what I would tell him… When I grow up, I want to be like my dad.

This gorgeous, heartfelt wish from the young boy underpins the whole story and transports us into an immersive, textural landscape.

Neither boy nor father have ever met Grandpa, who nevertheless features prominently in the subtext and conversation. A potentially confronting storyline is anything but –  instead, the tender, powerful and very human connection between three generations is evident.  

Soulful, glorious illustrations appear on every page. A combination of pencil, paint and digital techniques combine to create layered images that you just want to reach out and touch.

Representing different family types, places and ideas, My Dad, My Rock radiates all the good feeling vibes to leave readers genuinely happy and uplifted.  

This gorgeous book will be picked up over and over again.

Highly recommended.


Title:
My Dad, My Rock
Author: Victor D O Santos
Illustrator: Anna Forlati
Publisher: Scribble, $24.99
Publication Date: 30 July 2024
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 97817613380624
For Ages: 3 - 8
Type: Picture Book