Friday, May 25, 2012

Father's Day Gift Giving Guide -- The Very Best Toy by Gary Rinker (Review)

The Very Best Toy

  • Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  • Paperback: 28 pages
  • Publisher: Maverick Books (TX) (May 3, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1591888816
  • ISBN-13: 978-1591888819
  • Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 8 x 0.1 inches 
  • Buy now for only $3.99.
Summary:

What is the very best toy? Playing with Dad! See how, through a child's imagination, a dad becomes a swing, a horse, a slide, a trampoline and more. This beautifully illustrated book shows the special bond between a dad and his children. Perfect for Father's Day or Any Day!

The Very Best Toy received a Mom's Choice Award. It also won the USA "Best Books 2011" Award from USA Book News in the Children’s Picture Book Softback fiction category. 


My Thoughts:

This review is based on the thoughts of my husband, who has continued to read this book to Savannah each and every night since receiving it last week.  As I watch him read this Daddy and Me book to her, I see a smile come over his face, as he turns and reads each page.  We waited to start a family late in life, as we wanted to travel and get our careers going.  But, after going through cancer treatment in 2008, and having the doctors say I may never have children, I could tell that my husband had secretly wished we had them sooner.  But, when we were blessed with Savannah in 2010 and Arabella in 2011, our perspectives on life changed, and who both experienced a love so strong, as soon as we laid eyes on our beautiful daughters.  Like they say, Daddy's little girl -- well, my husband has two little girls, whom he cherishes and loves to pieces.

Each night, when he arrives home from work, Savannah runs to greet him.  After he scoops her up and gives her a big hug and kiss, he gets down on the ground and plays around with her.  She pretends he is her horse, a slide, a mountain she can climb, and so many other things that only a child can imagine.  But, when all is said and done, and her nightly books have been read to her by her Daddy, Savannah lays her head on his lap and dozes off to sleep.  It is like he is her cozy bed, in which she nestles into and dreams of all the fun she has with her Daddy.

This book by Gary Rinker captures the essence of a child's imagination at they interact with their Daddy.  Out of all the toys they have, their favorite toy of all is their Daddy.  This holds true with Savannah and her Daddy.  So, after hearing my husband read this book to Savannah each night, I can see why it has become one of his favorite books to read.  He is living out his dream of being a Daddy, and loving every minute of it  -- even when he is down on all fours, or being jumped on like a trampoline.  In the end, that is what Daddy's are for, and the very best toy!

About the Author:

Gary Rinker (1963- ) lives in Perryton, TX. He has worked at Maverick Books with the Hank the Cowdog series of books and audios since 1985. His first book, "The Very Best Toy," received a Mom's Choice Award and won the USA "Best Books 2011" Award from USA Book News in the Children's Picture Book Softback category.

Disclosure:  I was sent a copy of this book by the author in order to write up an honest review. The views above are mine and mine alone.

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