'Sad Dad'

My favorite part of "Hop on Pop" has to be the pages devoted to the utterly despondent dad.

You just don't see this much in kids' books anymore — demoralized parents who've clearly lost their will to live. I myself often come home from the office, strip down to only my rumpled tie, and then clasp my hands together while I wait for sweet release.

Elliot asked why the dad is sad, and I said he probably had a bad day at work.

Then he asked why it was bad. I said I didn't know. Elliot thought about it for a moment and said, "Maybe his computer stopped working."

That would do it.