My Daddy Can Fly!

PreS-Gr 1–Ben and his classmates love to play dress-up. It’s fun to put on costumes and imagine careers, from tae kwon do master to an architect for hamster houses. The kids use their interests and families as inspiration, but Ben keeps them guessing on his future, though. He announces that he wants to fly like his daddy. He wraps a cape around his shoulders as he gives hints about his daddy’s career. Who is strong, fast, slow, fierce, and gentle? When they still can’t guess, Ben wows them with the biggest clue so far—his own stellar dance moves. His friends discover that not only is Ben’s dad a ballet dancer, but so is Ben. While the plot line subtly works to break down career stereotypes—in the ethnic diversity of the class and the smooth inclusion of women in STEM careers—the story arc abruptly shifts from Ben’s dad to Ben. The final illustrations, though, help steer readers through the change in focus by portraying Ben’s friends imitating his dance moves. Readers may well want to imitate as well and to further encourage them, the front and back endpapers provide ballet steps and their names. Forster is a principal ballet dance with the American Ballet Theater with a son named Ben; the end notes include photos of their lives.