DADDY'S GIRL

A young girl enjoys tea with her dad.

The narrator prepares for the day carefully with handmade signs, a beautifully set table, and some primping and accessorizing. Her excitement is palpable in James’ rhymes (though the words don’t always match the girl’s youth): “That’s his knock. / My daddy’s here! / Be my guest / and sit right there. // Welcome / to my special tea. / Glad you’re here / to be with me!” Dad is all smiles and arrives bearing flowers for his girl. The daughter enumerates (at some length) all the festive elements of a tea party, giving readers ideas for their own. The blissful expressions on both faces at the end of the tea say it all: “Here’s a hug, / my daddy dear. / I just love / that you are here. / Love and hugs, / and kisses too. // Daddy, / tea is best with you.” Pink and yellow are the predominant colors in Corke’s watercolor illustrations, and readers will be left in no doubt that this is a girly-girl: boas, crowns, beads, bangles, sparkly shoes, and a beribboned hat. Dad and daughter are both white and brown-haired.

Pair with Hammer and Nails for another look at daddy-daughter time that isn’t so determinedly girly.