David's Father

When Julie sees movers carrying enormous silverware into a house in her neighborhood, she concludes that giants are moving in, and runs away in fright. The next day she meets David, a perfectly normal boy, and the two become friends. It turns out that it is David's father who is the giant, and that the young boy is adopted. When Julie asks David if he likes his father, he shares with her the many wonderful things his gargantuan parent can do...

The eleventh picture-book I have read from celebrated (and prolific!) Canadian author/illustrator team Robert Munsch and Michael Martchenko, David's Father offers an entertaining exploration of the question of adoption. Apparently inspired by Munsch's own adopted daughter Julie's questions about show more fathers and children who look differently from one another, the story and artwork here displays the usual zany humor and madcap sense of adventure to be found in this team's work. Recommended to Munsch/Martchenko fans, and to anyone looking for quirky, somewhat offbeat stories about adoption. show less

On the surface, this story has everything I like about Munsch's books - over-the-top situations, silly things - but I just don't like it.

I find the artwork unappealing, and the storyline a bit dull. And while David's father chasing away bullies is a good thing, for the kids to then take advantage of the situation and get free stuff is a bit much.

When Julia goes to eat at David's house, she discovers that David's father is a giant. This book is about the fantasy of children to find someone big and powerful to protect them

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