DADDY DRESSED ME
Written by Michael Gardner and Ava Gardner
“Celebrate the creative and empowering bond between a father and his daughter in this picture book from the real-life creators of the blog Daddy Dressed Me following a single dad’s sewing journey as he makes clothes to inspire his daughter.
It’s Move Up Day for Ava and her kindergarten class, and Ava is chosen to recite a poem! She worries about remembering the words, but her daddy reassures her he will help her practice until she’s confident. But Daddy struggles with self-doubt himself when he decides to sew Ava a new dress for the occasion but isn’t sure he knows the stitches and techniques to make her a one-of-a-kind creation.
Word by word and stitch by stitch, father and daughter work together, helping each other stand tall, proud, and confident, wrapped in love.”
Published by Aladdin/Simon & Schuster, 2023
PRAISE
“The deep bond and support shared between them on the page is sure to capture the hearts of readers who adore protagonists such as those in Matthew A. Cherry’s Hair Love…A vibrant #girldad story of patience, determination, and love makes this an easy purchase for all library collections.” School Library Journal, Starred Review
“Exudes creativity, joy, and daddy-daughter love…Fisher’s digitally rendered illustrations, as colorful as Daddy’s vibrant outfits, convey the close connection between Daddy and Ava.” Kirkus Reviews
“The simply written story rings true emotionally, and the attractive digital illustrations feature the warm relationship between a Black daughter and her father. A satisfying picture book.” Booklist
“Brightly patterned digital renderings showcase the strong bond between Daddy and Ava, echoing the text’s positive emphasis on how a parent’s care can support.” Publishers Weekly
“Written by a father daughter duo, you can tell the authors were writing from a place of experience with the authenticity of the text and Fisher's gorgeously vivid illustrations perfectly capture the heartfelt emotion and special relationship between Ava and her father. Highly recommend not just for Daddy-daughter duos but for anyone looking for a sweet story about love, connection, creativity and overcoming fears!” Amanda Davis, author of 30,000 Stitches and Moonlight Memories
“The beautiful bond between parent and child is crafted with positivity, sensitivity, love and support. Nadia Fisher's luminous illustrations enhance the characters and their stories setting the stage for a satisfying read. A gorgeous story for families to share brimming with "patience, confidence, determination and LOVE!” - Andria Rosenbaum, author of Trains Don’t Sleep and Our Class is a Country