My Dad Used To Be So Cool

My Dad Used To Be So Cool

By Keith Negley

Published by Flying Eye Books

Father's Day is fast approaching and what better way to celebrate than with a picture book he can share with the kids. And you can't get any cooler picture book than one by the awesome Keith Negley!

In this new picture book from Keith Negley, a boy wonders why his dad isn't cool anymore. Throughout the book we see his dad doing the housework and on the following spread we see him in the same pose showing him doing something much cooler (like being a front man in a rock band or riding a Harley Davidson). And so the boy sees evidence of his dad's past life all over the house, from drum kits stored away in cupboards to a motorbike rusting in the front yard. But can his dad still be cool? A trip to the park shows the boy how much his dad adores him and why indeed he did give up this cooler life. It may not be rock and roll, but we all know that being a dad is the coolest job of all.

Another gem of a book from Keith, who really does make the coolest picture books around. In Keith's unique illustrative style, each spread pops with gorgeous colours and a sharp graphic style. I particularly loved the fold out spread of the play park, a nice touch for a lovely scene.

This is the perfect father's day gift to any dad that loves a quirky picture book, and if they're cool they'll definitely appreciate it! My Dad Used To Be So Cool is available to buy at all good bookshops and on the Flying Eye Books website.

I Want My Daddy!

I Want My Daddy!

Written by Tracey Corderoy and Illustrated by Alison Edgson  
Published by Little Tiger Press

Some days we just need our daddies, and that’s especially the case for Arthur in I Want My Daddy!. If you liked Tracey Corderoy’s I Want My Mummy, then you will enjoy this sweet tale of Arthur and his special Daddy.

Arthur is having a very bad day, his castle keeps falling down, and he can’t be a knight without a castle. He needs his daddy! His Daddy believes it’s a job for more than one knight, and together they cement (with glue) and paint, making the turrets nice and straight. Arthur can finally enjoy playing knights, marching and swishing his sword but it isn’t long, when charging after baddies, he crashes into a broom, “Ouch!” Daddy is there with a hug and offers to take Arthur to visit his favourite castle at the park, where there are turrets, ladders and a great big slide. 

While fishing for monsters in the moat, something soon tugs on Arthurs line… Arthur starts to worry; what if its big and hairy and scary! It’s Daddy to the rescue, and after lots of pulling, a huge boot is pulled from the water. Daddy calls it a Boot-a-saurus which they find very funny. Later in the day Arthur decides to make a crown, as every castle needs a king, a special someone and that’s Arthur’s Daddy. The story is very sweet and children will be able to relate to when things don’t go to plan. This sweet picture book will cheer up any little knights having a bad day.

As always, illustrator Alison Edgson creates warm and reassuring illustrations alongside Tracey's playful text. Alison was also the illustrator of Mummy’s Little Sunflowers which I reviewed back in March. I Want My Daddy! is the perfect picture book for Father's Day and for those times when only Daddy will do! Available to buy at all good bookshops and on the Little Tiger Press website.  

My Daddy Says

My Daddy Says

Written by Justine Smith and Illustrated by Angie Stevens  
Published by Campbell Books

My Daddy Says is a sweet, little chunky board book, perfect for little hands to hold. And with it being Father’s Day on Sunday, what a great book for little ones to read with their daddies. This second title follows My Mummy Says, and was published last year. A simple story that follows two friends throughout the day and what they get up to with their daddies.

Each page alternates between the two daddies and the little girl and boy. Covering the different activities that may happen in the day, from playing, breakfast, putting the washing out before both children are taken to the park where they regularly meet up to play. They stay until it’s almost dark and then its home time, where it’s time for a bath and a bed time story. 

My Daddy Says captures the impulsive nature of family life and has a lovely warm and humorous tone capturing the special relationship that exists between children and their daddies. 

The illustrations are simple but they capture the emotions and actions of the children well and come from illustrator Angie Stevens, who is also known for her real life family doodles on her Doodle Mum website. And due to Angie's observational daily doodles, children will easily recognise the settings and actions of the children and their daddies as they feel like they've been inspired by actual events.

The rhyming text is simple but I like the repetition of ‘This Daddy says…’ on each page, great for little ones to enjoy and join in. My Daddy Says is recommended for under-threes, and daddies of course. Available in all good bookshops and on the Pan Macmillan website.