UP, UP, UP, DOWN

A toddler lives through a day full of opposing directives with their stay-at-home dad.

A page of vignettes showing the tot waking, attempting to scale the crib rails, and being picked up by dad accompany large, baby-blue lettering: “Up, up, up!” On the facing page, the child squirms out of dad’s arms toward a toy on the ground; larger lettering says “Down!” And so continues their day, the tyke miming, “No, no, no,” to oatmeal, toast, and eggs, then gobbling up blueberries (“yes!”). Clothes go “on, on, on” as dad dresses the child—then all are suddenly “off.” Dad exhorts offspring to “hurry, hurry, hurry” in order to get out of the house, then, in a full spread, calls, “slow down!” as the chortling child runs merrily away from the house, toward the sidewalk. After swim lessons, treats, and fun at home with dad, mom comes home, briefcase in hand, and snuggles with baby as dad conks out in a chair: “All done.” The family is black. Toddler and father both wear faded haircuts, and each family member is essentially the same shade of light brown. The parts of this day will be familiar to parents and children alike. The simple lines and soft colors are soothing to the eye, though bolder colors might be more attractive to the younger set.

A fresh take on opposites and routines for the very young.