Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli"s first picture book stars a flop-eared young pup who loves to spend time with his father when he gets home from work. Little wonder! Dad has plenty of energy at day"s end for playing the harmonica, wrestling, planting tomatoes, making gingerbread men, and even for household chores: "When the house breaks,/ we have to fix it./ My job is to carry/ the toolbox/ and hand Daddy the hammer./ He says I"m his best helper." On the rare occasion, his dad is too pooped to play: "But never, ever is my daddy too tired/ to sing me a lullaby/ when it"s time/ for bed." Seymour Chwast"s thickly textured, color-saturated paintings of the goofy dog pair render the affectionate father-son bond tangible. Young children will surely be comforted by this warm, simple tribute to Dadkind. (Preschool) --Karin Snelson