Josh Bledsoe | The Children’s Book Review | April 20, 2016
Josh Bledsoe’s Selfie with Hammer and Nails
Hammer and Nails is the story of a little girl and her dad. When Darcy’s play date gets cancelled, she is royally bummed, until Daddy swoops in and suggests a “Darcy-Daddy” day. What ensues can only be described as some really good… life living.
I wrote Hammer and Nails when my daughter was five and my son was three. I’m a teacher, and my amazing wife is a nurse who works long, difficult hours, so in the summer I would (and still do) hunker down and hang with the kids. I wrote this story as I was actually living it about five years ago. I adore it for many reasons, but mainly because it’s a snapshot of a tremendously fun part of my family’s story.
While it’s a story about a kid and for kids, it’s just as much a story about a parent and for parents. It’s a heartwarming and hilariously illustrated story about making time for those you love, and the joy to be found in stepping out of your comfort zone to try new things with the people most precious to you. The selfie is just me. Holding the book. Being photobombed by those most precious to me.
Josh Bledsoe’s Shelfie
My bookshelf is a hodgepodge of things. I’m a fifth grade teacher, so there’s a bit of middle grade there. I enjoy Louis Sachar, Roald Dahl, Gary Paulsen, and recently, R.J. Palacio’s Wonder. I’ll pick up the guitar and rock some Pete the Cat, too. When I’m done with that, I’ll pick up some John Eldredge or Dallas Willard. I guess my bookshelf, without being too dramatic, says that I enjoy books that encourage people (my students and myself) to laugh and to think deeply. And that means most anything is fair game.
Written by Josh Bledsoe
Illustrated by Jessica Warrick
Publisher’s Synopsis: Darcy has plans. She and her friend are going to play dress up, do each other’s hair, and polish their nails. Daddy has plans, too. He’s going to read the paper, mow the lawn, and fix the fence. When Darcy’s friend cancels and she’s sure her day is ruined, Daddy suggests that they tackle their to-do lists together with a Darcy-Daddy Day. Daddy dons a tutu, and Darcy gives him a fancy hair do. They groom the lawn with Her Majesty’s Mowing Service and face off in a Daddy-directed sock battle. But will Darcy want to hammer? Will Daddy do nails? Stepping outside their comfort zones, Darcy and Daddy opt to be open-minded and even a bit daring. As Daddy says, “Sometimes things you’ve never done end up being fun!” With a gung-ho attitude, Darcy masters the hammer, and Daddy goes for it with the nails.
Ages 4-7 | Publisher: Flashlight Press | 2016 | ISBN-13: 978-1936261369
Add this book to your collection: Hammer and Nails
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About Josh Bledsoe
Josh Bledsoe has been an elementary school teacher for 11 years. He has a master’s degree in education, and lives outside Nashville, TN. He has, at one time or another, played hair and nail salon, designed epic obstacle courses, worn a tutu, and made sandwiches out of waffles. When free time finds him, he enjoys running, fishing, and camping. His kid-friendly dialogue in Hammer and Nails, coupled with the enchanting and emotive artwork by Jessica Warrick, creates a lovely daddy/daughter book with a little silliness and a lot of warmth.
Discover more books like Hammer and Nails, written by Josh Bledsoe and illustrated by Jessica Warrick, by checking out our reviews and articles tagged with Daddy Books and Father’s Day; and be sure to follow along with our Selfie and a Shelfie series.