Book Review (and a Giveaway!): Dad and the Recycling Bin Roller Coaster by Taylor Calmus

Posted June 8, 2023 by meezcarrie in children, giveaway, Taylor Calmus / 16 Comments

DAD AND THE RECYCLING BIN ROLLER COASTER
AUTHOR: Taylor Calmus
ILLUSTRATOR: Eda Kaban
GENRE: Children’s Picture Book
PUBLISHER: WaterBrook
RELEASE DATE: May 16, 2023
PAGES: 41

A loving dad goes a little over-the-top as he tries to DIY the best day ever for his kids in this funny, tender, vibrantly illustrated picture book from the viral video star behind Dude Dad and A Dude’s Guide to Baby Size.
When Mom heads out for a day of shopping and self-care, Dad knows it’s “the perfect opportunity for a spectacular, build-tastic, super-Dad plan.” Eager for his three kids to have the best day ever, Dad throws himself into build after build—from a leaf-blower-powered rocket ship to an ice cream truck with sherbet shooters—each more elaborate than the last. But one after another, the kids (including the unusually well-spoken baby) decline to play with Dad’s creations. Feeling dejected, Dad starts to put away his tools, but then his kids are finally able to tell him what they really want . . . to play with him!

Dad and the Recycling Bin Roller Coaster is a fun ode to the dads who live for adventures with their kids, even if sometimes they are a bit (lovingly) misguided. I read it with a grin on my face and could easily picture my own brother building something super cool like this for my nephews. (Hopefully without using their fence to do so lol because, honestly, if I came home and saw that my husband had taken apart sections of our fence to make a recycling bin roller coaster for our nieces and nephews, I would not react nearly as well as the mom in this book haha!)

One of the reasons I enjoyed this read is because it brought to mind a favorite book of mine from childhood – The Bear Scouts by Stan & Jan Berenstain. Papa Bear and his mantra of “with a guide like me, you can’t go wrong” ran fondly through my head every time I read this Dad’s repeated “Just sit right there and leave me to it. I’m the expert – just let me do it!” And, of course, both of them – in spite of their well-intentioned hearts – aren’t quite as expert as they think. Be that as it may, it’s always delightful to see loving dads represented in picture books – dads who are hands-on in their kids’ lives and want to give them fun and adventure and quality time together. Along those lines, I loved how the little kids in this book appreciated what their dad was doing for them but also weren’t afraid to interject (when he finally stopped to listen lol) that what they really wanted was to spend time with & learn from him. After all, the backyard recycling bin rollercoaster wasn’t as fun if their dad couldn’t ride with them.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a fun read-aloud picture book for Father’s Day or any day, you’ll definitely want to check out Dad and the Recycling Bin Roller-Coaster by Taylor Calmus! The illustrations by Eda Kaban perfectly complement the text and are just hands-down adorable with little details tucked away to discover the more times you read it. You can definitely see the Disney influence there, which will for sure attract kids to this book. My favorite thing about the book is the children and how they are written, especially the baby. The translations of his babblings are hysterical and super cute, and I can’t wait to read this book with my nephews because they will think so, too. I can already hear their giggles!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

My Rating: 4 stars / loved it!

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Better known as Dude Dad, Taylor Calmus is a Colorado-based video creator who started his popular YouTube channel two weeks before his son was born as a way to stay creative while learning how to be a father. Taylor is also the author of A Dude’s Guide to Baby Size and the host of Super Dad, a DIY show that helps fathers become heroes in their own homes through elaborate and exciting backyard projects. The show airs on the Magnolia Network. Taylor and his wife, Heidi, live in Fort Collins, Colorado, with their children. Connect with Taylor on his website and YouTube channel.

Eda Kaban was born and raised in Turkey. Her travels brought her to the United States, where she studied illustration. She has worked with clients such as Disney, Marvel, Lucasfilm, Nickelodeon, Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, Scholastic, HarperCollins, Chronicle Books, Macmillan, Lufthansa Airlines, The Wall Street Journal, and The Boston Globe. Her illustrations have been recognized by the Society of Illustrators, Creative Quarterly, American Illustration, and 3X3. Connect with Eda on Instagram.

WaterBrook is offering a print copy of Dad and the Recycling-Bin Roller Coaster by Taylor Calmus (illustrated by Eda Kaban) to one of my readers! (US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.) This giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies which can be found here. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below.

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What about you? What makes you want to read Dad and the Recycling-Bin Roller Coaster by Taylor Calmus (illustrated by Eda Kaban) with a little one in your life?