I did not think I was going to like Papa Brings Me the World. When I picked up Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw’s book, I was in a less than great mood when reading it (which always colors my feelings of a book) but instead of me thinking it was “too sappy” or “too cute,” it put me in a better frame of mind. It just looked like it could be dull or overly preachy (or both). And, without reading, I assumed it was going to be short. Instead, Kostecki-Shaw creates a picture books that comes off as lovely tribute to a dad from his daughter. It is a nice and cozy book. There is a story, even if not a lot of traditional action.
The narrator tells us of how her father gives her pieces of his travels to show her the world around them. These come in multiple formats: knick knacks, masks, letters from people he meets. Then day she has been waiting for comes. She is given something she wants more than all the gifts her father has ever given her! (No spoilers her!)
The illustrations are realistic but have a fantastical element as well. The cover gives you the type of colors you will see and the format they are done in. Some pages are busier than others, but not to distraction. There is a fun “Easter egg” in one of the pages that might be missed if you are not looking too closely. And it looks as if the family might be biracial, therefore, bringing another layer of diversity. Yet, this is not the point of the story. So the whole book is natural.
A nice Father’s Day gift, but also an anytime read that can be shared with dad. All ages can enjoy but probably best for the older (5 to 8) crowd.