Just Like My Dad

By David Melling

Year: 2002

Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books, London

Age: 4 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 0 34094 403 5

This heartwarming and witty book is about a little cub’s aspiration to grow up to be just like his dad, a mighty lion.

The illustrations are comical and will draw laughter from young and old. :-)

Excerpt

This is my dad.

One day, I’ll have sharp teeth just like my dad.

Milly, Molly and Different Dads

Text: Gill Pittar

Illustrations: Cris Morrell

Year: 2002

Publisher: Milly Molly Books, New Zealand

Age: 4 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 24

Book Type: Picture Book, Life Skills Education

ISBN:  942 1 87729 719 4

Families are different. This book brings home the message in a very powerful way.

Little Sophie comes to class crying. Her dad’s packed his suitcase and gone away. So, Mrs. Blythe gets the children to talk about their dads. Sophie realizes every dad is different.

In the wise words of her teacher, “That’s just the way it is.”

Excerpt

“I’ve got two Dads,” said Elizabeth.

“I’ve only got one Dad,” said Milly.

“My Dad’s away with the Army and I only see him sometimes,” Harry added.

Who’s been Eating My Porridge?

Text: M. Christina Butler

Illustrations: Daniel Howarth

Year: 2004

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 4 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN: 978 1 85430 976 1

This book replays a scene that occurs in almost every household – a child who’s fussy about food and parents trying different means to get him to eat.

Little Bear doesn’t like to eat his porridge.  So Mummy Bear leaves his porridge on an old tree stump for Old Scary Bear.

The next day, his parents drizzle some honey on the porridge to entice Little Bear to eat. He doesn’t budge. So his porridge is left out again. This happens a few times and each time, Little Bear observes that his bowl is left empty. He’s now a little worried about Old Scary Bear and begins to eat his porridge.

The story ends happily, though. There isn’t anything scary at the end. :-) We loved the illustrations especially the cuddly-wuddly bears.

Excerpt

That night Little Bear had a bad dream. Old Scary Bear was chasing him through the woods.

“I want your porridge,” he growled. “It makes me big and strong!”

Me and My Dad

Text: Alison Ritchie

Illustrations: Alison Edgson

Year: 2007

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 3 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture book

ISBN:  978 1 84506 465 5

This delightfully illustrated tender expression of love from a cuddly, baby bear to his strong, tall daddy bear is a treasure.

The book traces a day in the life of the cub, from his father’s wake-up kiss to cuddling with his dad at night and packed with all their fun adventures in between.

This is a memorable book especially because of its enchanting illustrations that celebrate the love of a parent and child. 

Excerpt

My dad tells me stories as

As day turns to night.

We cuddle up close

In the twinkling light. 

Sam’s Snowflake

Text: Gillian Shields

Illustrations: Rosie Reeve

Year: 2008

Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books, London

Age: 2 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book, paperback

ISBN: 978 0 23053 178 9

This is a gentle Christmas story that explores the deep bond that children forge with their dads.

Little Sam can’t wait to do fun things with his dad but he’s gone away to ‘fetch a special Christmas surprise’.

As Christmas Eve slowly fades into a cold, dark night Sam worries that his dad might get lost. He makes a glittery star that he puts up at the highest window to guide his father back home.

The book offers a gentle opportunity to explain to little ones, especially those prone to separation anxiety that parents come back. 

Oh yes, there’s a generous smattering of glitter through the pages too! :-)

Excerpt

Sam couldn't wait for the snow to come.

Every Christmas, Dad helped him to make a snow bear, took him toboganning and played roly-poly snowball fights. 

Noddy Goes to Sea

By Enid Blyton

Year: 1959

Publisher: BBC Books, London

Age: 6 and above

No. of Pages: 60

Book Type: Chapter book

ISBN: 978 0 56336 834 2

Website: Noddy.com

Noddy’s golden heart lands him on a ship! 

Tubby Bear has run off to sea and life away from home isn't as much fun as he thought it’d be. Noddy who’s followed him on to the ship, is promptly recruited by the captain as a cabin boy and is well-liked by the sailors. He also gets to meet some merfolk too.     

Excerpt

A sailor took Noddy down into the ship, and gave him a cabin-boy’s uniform.

“I want to wear my hat with the bell,” said Noddy. “This round cap-thing doesn't fit me. It will fall off every time I nod.”

Easy as Pie

Text: Cari Best

Illustrations: Melissa Sweet

Year: 2010

Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux, New York 

Age: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 36

ISBN:  978 0 37439 929 0

This book reminded me a lot of Harvey the Baker in that it introduces children to the delights of baking.

The story takes us through the baking (and cleaning!) routine as Jacob bakes a pie for his parents’ anniversary. He’s also a fan of Chef Monty, who hosts Jacob’s favorite television show.

Chef Monty’s culinary wisdom peeks through the pages every step of the baking process. Sample this: A happy baker bakes a happy pie.

Naturally, who would contradict such delightful insights?

Excerpt

“This pie business is harder than I thought,” he worried out loud.

But only for a second, because Jacob remembered another one of Chef Monty’s rules: Don’t give up even when what you’re making doesn't look the way it’s supposed to.

Wherever You Are

By Nancy Tillman, Wikipedia

Year: 2010

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends, New York

Age: 5 - 10 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book, Poetry

ISBN: 978 0 31254 966 4

The complete title of the book is Wherever You Are my love will find you. It’s a touching tribute to parents’ love for their children.

There are stunning comparisons to the bounties of nature to remind little ones of the everlasting nature of their parent’s love.

The beautifully detailed illustrations compliment the heart warming text. The child's special status is accentuated by a glimmering trail of stars that surrounds the child through the pages. 

It’s poetry. It’s art. It’s love. :-)

Excerpt

So climb any mountain … climb up to the sky!

My love will find you.

My love can fly!

How to build a House

By Nick Turpin and Barbara Nascimbeni

Year: 2005

Publisher: Evans Brothers, London

Age: 2 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN:  978 0 23753 065 5

This story of a house that Jack, supposedly, built is a humorous look at children and the grand plans they come up with, while their parents work to make those plans a reality.

Jack wants to build a house – more like a playhouse, in his yard. All, he does is come up with a plan. He, then cleverly (rather cheekily) enlists the rest of his family to finish it!

This book belongs to the Twisters series for little ones where words are few and the illustrations speak a lot.

Excerpt

“We need more people.”

“Your sister can help us.”

“Good work, Dad!”

Sherman is a Slowpoke

Text: Mitchell Sharmat

Illustrations: David Neuhaus

Year: 1988

Publisher: Scholastic Inc., New York

Age: 6 - 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture book

ISBN:  978 0 59040 938 7

This is the first time, I've seen a sloth (that too the pre-historic kind!) as the central figure in a children’s book. Naturally, the slow pace of the animal is used to create some hilarious situations.

Meet Sherman the sloth who has spent all his life eating and sleeping around the family tree. When he meets Alice, another sloth who goes to Mr. Mammoth’s school, Sherman wants to join too. He wants to learn to think, too. :-)

Except that it takes more than a day to get there and his parents aren't too keen on his new idea, either.

Sherman makes it to school and despite jibes from his class-mates, he has a thought too. It’s what he wanted to learn!

Excerpt

“Sloths are always happy,” said his father, “as long as the leaves are green and the water is clean.”

“I want more,” said Sherman.

“I want to do things. I want to think. I want to go to school!”

What does Daddy do?

By Rachel Bright

Year: 2009

Publisher: Puffin Books, UK

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 0 14150 264 9

Daisy, a precocious little kindergartner is quite stumped when she realizes she doesn't quite know what her dad does for a living. Dexter’s dad is a fireman, Evie's a doctor and the others also seem to know their dads’ professions.

Daisy, then industriously puts together all the snippets of information that she has about her dad and it is soon concluded that he is an “Explorersuperknight”!

This is a heart-warming perspective into a kindergartner’s way of thinking and analyzing facts. The illustrations are hilarious, too. 

Simply adorable! :-)

Excerpt

And then Bob said, “Well, my daddy is a teacher! He makes children very clever and he knows everything about everything, especially volcanoes.”  

I Love You Always and Forever

Author: Jonathan Emmett

Illustrator: Daniel Howarth

Year: 2007

Publisher: Gullane Children’s Books, London

Age: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 24

ISBN: 978 1 86233 621 6

This is a tender story of a parent’s love for his little one, captured elegantly in sensitive prose and poignant illustrations.  

Granted, the protagonists here are mice but any dad would relate to this charming book.:-)

It’s a beautiful day in the woodland. Littletail and her dad, Longtail are playing all her favorite little games.  As they play, Longtail realizes that soon things will not be the same. His little one will grow up and be faster and cleverer than him. Yet, one thing will not change - his love for Littletail is forever.

Excerpt

It was getting late, but Littletail wanted to play one last game.

“Follow the leader!” she said.

Longtail was small – but Littletail was smaller. And she could squeeze through where Longtail could 

not.

“I always get through,” said Littletail proudly.

“Do you always?” laughed Longtail, “Well it won’t be forever, one day you will be just as big as me!”