Tad and Dad

Caldecott Honor winner David Ezra Stein's funny--and tender--tale of a growing tadpole who loves his frog dad so much he never gives him a moment's peace.

Tad the tadpole spends every day with his awesome dad, and shares a lily pad with him at night. It's always been that way . . . but little Tad is growing up, and quickly becoming as awesome--and large--as his dad. As his new parts sprout, he's learning to swim and hop and croak just like Dad. Dad is very proud, but when Tad's accomplishments carry over into nighttime--bringing lots of kicking and croaking in his sleep--the lily pad is no longer a bed for two. Even Tad finally realizes it's time for a lily pad of his own, and all is well--at least until Dad realizes how much he misses Tad.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs