Daddy Adventure Day

It's a special day for a young narrator and his father—though Daddy takes a while to get in the spirit (being awoken at 4:15 a.m. to the sound of bouncing baseballs doesn't help). There are rules for Daddy Adventure Day: no reading the paper and no calling the office, either. But at the seaside baseball stadium where the boy attends his first game ever, Daddy happily tosses him in the air, explaining, "That's three runs for the white shirts!" After the game, they stop for ice cream sundaes, followed by snoozing on the couch at home. Ramá's smudgy artwork and Keane's kid's-eye view capture the palpable excitement of the occasion, making the dynamics of their relationship feel both distinctive and relatable. Ages 3–8. (Mar.)