• Age: 0 to 5
• Grade: p to k
• Reading age: 2 to 5

Nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Prize and listed as one of the Best Children's Books of 2012 by Kirkus

Johnny's daddy has smooth cheeks, an apple in his throat and sounds like a mom when he sings in the bath. At other times a cactus grows out of his chin and his breath smells like cauliflower. At times he has warm hands and his fingers taste like applesauce. Other times his hands are cold and flash like lightning, and he becomes a thunder-daddy. When this happens Johnny wants to find a new daddy, but he eventually realizes that thunder-daddies don't last forever. And that there's nothing like the comfort that comes from those we love.

Klaas Verplancke's story, with its humorous, energetic and imaginative illustrations, will strike a chord with many young children and parents as they discover that love sometimes means setting limits, and that people do get angry, but that where there is love, it doesn't last.

Klaas Verplancke is a world-renowned illustrator, author and graphic designer who has exhibited his work in his native Belgium and abroad. His illustrations typically reveal his sense of humor, poetic imagination, and somewhat surrealistic view of reality. He has won the BolognaRagazzi Award, was a finalist for the Hans Christian Andersen Award and has been nominated six times for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award for his oeuvre as a whole. His inspiration for this book came from his close relationship with his young son who "collapsed like a pudding" when he felt that their father-son friendship was compromised as limits were inevitably put in place. He lives in Bruges, Belgium.

Klaas Verplancke's profile page

• Commended, Kirkus Best Children's Books

... Verplancke gives us a wonderful image of father and son

Ottawa Citizen

This book's real strength lies in its illustrations and the juxtaposition of the two sides of the father's personality, the latter being something with which most readers will identify. Overall, Applesauce is a good addition for libraries, particularly public libraries as it is aimed at younger readers.

CM

Reminiscent of Where the Wild Things Are in its visual transformations and emotional intensity, but with a more present and openly loving parent.

Kirkus