Santos ably describes the love and encouraging support that children want from parents at all stages of life. Using short sentences, Santos’ approachable text feels true to a child’s understanding of a nurturing parent, and it will also resonate with caregivers who strive to be positive role models. Forlati’s highly textured pastel illustrations offer realistic depictions of the love between a parent and child. Both the text and images share a subdued, comforting tone. A beautifully illustrated, touching tale of love.”
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“The text radiates love, as well as pride in this powerful family dynamic. The illustrations, with their muted and nostalgic coloration, are gorgeous and charming. Their intricate details include recurring motifs that show the lifelong bond between the father and his son … My Dad, My Rock is a heartwarming picture book about father-son love that carries from one generation to the next.”
—Foreword Reviews, starred review
“Accompanied by Forlati’s lush, beautifully textured illustrations with an understated but warm color palette, My Dad, My Rock is a heartfelt and moving ode to the father-son bond … A genuine delight … [A] profound meditation on the ways in which fathers have the power to positively shape their sons.”
—Booklife Reviews, starred review and editor's pick
“Such a heartwarming book. Beautifully written and illustrated.”
—Eric Fan, author-illustrator (from The Fan Brothers)
“A moving story to remind us that love is a form of deep noticing and that loving can very much be made up of new choices we make.”
—Kate Hoefler, author of Rabbit and the Motorbike, Nothing in Common, and Real Cowboys
“A touching multigenerational ode to fathers with illustrations as sweet as the love between this dad and son.”
—Jessie Oliveros, author of The Remember Balloons
“Santos offers a poignant picture of multigenerational fatherhood in this tender tribute … Forlati’s artfully textural illustrations soothe with their soft colors and careful lines, aptly matching the story’s emotional acuity.”
—Publishers Weekly
“A touching title for good dads everywhere.”
—Author and librarian extraordinaire Betsy Bird, Evanston Public Library
“An extremely heartwarming and soul-touching story. It is hard to describe the wonderful feelings you will get reading this book. Everyone should get a copy.”
—Reedsy Dicovery, starred review
“A beautiful and compellingly different approach to celebrating fathers. Many picture books for kids explore love between fathers and sons but few are so specific, engaging, and realistically reflective as My Dad, My Rock. It should be critical, essential reading for any age who would better understand the important role of a father in the family. An exceptional read that is highly recommended.”
—Midwest Book Review
“A heartwarming ode to fatherhood. Lovely, muted pencil illustrations in soft shades add a dream-like quality to the story. A delightful book for sharing, and perfect for Father’s Day.”
—The Children’s Book Review
“A book of fathering without having known one’s own Dad through the eyes of the grandfatherless child. A soulfully nuanced book of tremendous love, nurturing, and admiration. Whether from the perspective from his father’s shoulders or as a father one day himself, Oliver narrates the book in an ode to parenthood and generational love.”
—Jesica Sweedler-DeHart, Neill Public Library
“My Dad, My Rock is a tender, compassionate look at a father-son relationship … The plot is a journey not only about the father-son bond but also about what it truly means to be a Dad. The language is simple so young readers can follow along and the protagonist, Oliver, will certainly connect with young readers and their feelings toward their Dads … A beautiful, touching story that will melt your heart in the same way that Robert Munsch’s book, Love You Forever, touched generations of young readers (and their loving parents, too).”
—Readers’ Favorite
