Book Bites: More Father's Day Fun: Picture Books to Make Dads Laugh


Messy breakfast fry-ups. Fishing off a pier. Or just frolicking around in the garden. It doesn’t matter how you spend time with your father figure (even if that happens to be your Mum!), what’s important is that you do. This collection of picture books captures the fun and ridiculousness that many dads and granddads exemplify. Happy Father’s Day!


Time For Adventure, Daddy

Cartoonist and author, Dave Hackett is a master at flipping – storylines on their heads that is. I’ve never seen him flip physically in real life although I imagine he’d be good at that too. Time For Adventure, Daddy is the third in the Daddy picture book series that celebrates the unique relationship between dads and daughters (and sons). Like many pre-schoolers, young madams often have a bigger grip on the world than their size suggests. So with a firm guiding hand and enormous amounts of patient persuasion, this little girl manages to convince her duty-bound dad to come with her on picnic and enjoy the BIG beautiful day outdoors. It’s a case of pure Carp Diem!  Like its predecessors, Time For Bed, Daddy and Time for School, Daddy, this playful story is chockers with dramatic irony, bright bold colours and enough truisms to make both parent and child chuckle for hours. Fantastic for father’s day backyard adventures.

Title: Time For Adventure, Daddy
Author: Dave Hackett
Illustrator: Dave Hackett
Publisher: UQP, $24.99 
Publication Date: August 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780702262852
For ages: 3 – 7
Type: Picture Book

Buy the Book: UQP, Booktopia, Boomerang Books


My Dad Is…

For all of dads’ foibles and follies, disgusting habits and extraordinary noises, they share an affinity with their kids that can’t be ignored. My Dad Is…explores many of the well-known traits that a lot of dads exhibit; reprehensible snoring and room-clearing farts to name but two. James Hart’s rhino-inspired illustrations add humour and realism to Allen’s declarations. And the best part? This book includes a novelty spinner so you can discover all the ace things that make up YOUR dad.

Title: My Dad Is…
Author: Ed Allen
Illustrator: James Hart
Publisher: Scholastic Australia, $17.99 
Publication Date: August 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781743836699
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book

Buy the Book: Booktopia, Boomerang Books


Grandpa’s Noises

The relationship between grandparents and their grandkids may involve gaping generational disparities but absurd and often gross body noises is one area of unification. Youngsters can’t seem to get enough of the grotesque and curious symphony of sounds that older people seem to love emitting. Fortunately for both, complete understanding is ensured thanks to a child’s ability to accept, decode and interpret with an open heart and nonjudgmental mind. This cleverly conceived and executed picture book by, Gareth St John Thomas, spotlights grandpa’s day through the cacophony of noises that he utters both verbally and physically; some involuntarily like his bottom burps and trilling hearing aid. Adults barely comprehend what’s going on but thanks to Colin Rowe’s warm and captivating illustrations, a treasure chest of exposition unfolds: shown through paintings on the wall, poppies on the side table and grandpa’s gorgeous ginger-stripped cat.  Relatable and realistic with plenty to share and laugh along to, Grandpa’s Noises is highly recommended both in the family and in the classroom – the perfect exploration of sound: cause and effect!

Title: Grandpa’s Noises
Author: Gareth St John Thomas
Illustrator: Colin Rowe
Publisher: EK Books, $24.99 
Publication Date: June 2019
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781925335989
For ages: 4 – 7
Type: Picture Book

Buy the Book: EK Books, Boomerang Books, Booktopia


Up To Something

After Billy is relegated to being Dad’s assistant, he decides to take matters into his own small hands. Like many youngsters who crave their father’s approval and hands on participation to prove it, Billy simply wants to be more involved with his father’s billycart building project. As they spend the day up to something, they discover the sum of their efforts easily beats working alone. This charming tale reminds us that working together results in amazing outcomes and creates unbreakable bonds. There is also a nice nod to the art of creating, reusing and reimagining. 

Title: Up To Something
Author: Katrina McKelvey
Illustrator: Kirrili Lonergan
Publisher: EK Books, $24.99 
Publication Date: May 2019
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781925335705
For ages: 4 – 7
Type: Picture Book

Buy the Book: EK Books, Booktopia, Boomerang Books


Bedtime, Daddy!

Bedtime, Daddy! is another glorious flip-the-scenario type picture book in the same vein as, Time for Bedtime, Daddy and is perfect fodder for incorporating into those pre-bedtime rituals. Daddy is anthropomorphically portrayed as an uncooperative recalcitrant (bear) child determined to delay going to bed for as long as possible. This tale reads like a how-to manual sprinkled with comedy and styled into memorable moments thanks to Dreiling’s humorous illustrations. Well worth including in Dad’s bedtime arsenal of tricks!

Title: Bedtime, Daddy!
Author: Sharon Giltrow
Illustrator: Katrin Dreiling
Publisher: EK Books, $24.99 
Publication Date: May 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781925820386
For ages: 3 – 7
Type: Picture Book

Buy the Book: EK Books, Boomerang Books, Booktopia


Johnny’s Beard 

Johnny’s Beard is a quirky story with a heart-warming twist that keeps every little critter and reader happy. Bold bright playful illustrations keep little eyes touring each page for details and clues as to how Johnny is going to care for the woodland creatures he decides to give haven to one cold winter. A fun progressive, tumbling tale involving ingenuity, humanity and problem solving that’s sure to appeal to kids with dads sporting fantastical facial hair!

Title: Johnny’s Beard
Author: Michelle Worthington
Illustrator: Katrin Dreiling
Publisher: Little Pink Dog Books, $24.95 
Publication Date: October 2018
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780648256304
For ages: 3 – 6
Type: Picture Book

Buy the Book: Little Pink Dog Books, Boomerang Books, Booktopia


Ron The Royal Guard

For a final bit of ridiculousness (and because this barmy picture book features both corgis AND pigeons!), consider settling down for a few minutes of hilarity with Ron The Royal Guard. Or rather, download the free mp3 for a riotous singalong version. In true British fashion, Ron begins his day at the Palace with a cup (or three) of tea. He then struggles into his red uniform and bearskin (tall furry hat) to stand guard all day long outside the Queen of England’s palace. Protecting Royalty is a job that requires implacable bravery, a lot of stillness and, as Ron discovers, a very large bladder. One day, Ron’s need to go potty overrides every other sane thought until by Royal Decree, he hits on a solution so that not even the selfie-snapping tourists notice his absence, or even the Queen herself! Illustrated with wit and written with unbridled mirth, the moral of this entertaining ditty is clearly to watch how much tea you drink. Highly recommended entertainment to share with Dad on Dad’s Day or indeed any day of the year.

Title: Ron The Royal Guard
Author: Deano Yippadee
Illustrator: Paul Beavis
Publisher: New Frontier Publishing, $24.99 
Publication Date: May 2019
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781925594614
For ages: 3 – 6
Type: Picture Book

Buy the Book: New Frontier Publishing, Booktopia, Boomerang Books

 

Comments

Norah Colvin said…
What a gorgeous selection of books, Dimity. :)
2 September 2020 at 21:01
DimbutNice said…
Yes they are, thanks Norah. Great to share with dads and granddads but also in general. Most made me lol especially GRANDPA'S NOISES! So adapt and true! :-D
3 September 2020 at 10:42
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