Father’s Day Book Reviews

With Father’s Day just around the corner, I thought it fitting to review two cute new picture books designed specifically to celebrate Dads – yet in two very different ways!

If kids are looking for a sweet, heartfelt picture book to give Dad and remind him of how much he means to them, it’s hard to go past There’s Only One Dad Like You. Written and illustrated by the talented Jess Racklyeft, the book is a companion to last year’s There’s Only One Mum Like You title, also published by Affirm Press.

This tender, rhyming text notes the many different ways a father can bring meaning and fun to a child’s world, whether as hero, friend, guide, creator, builder, chef, fixer of all that is broken, or other role. I’m a huge fan of award-winning Racklyeft’s artwork, and this picture book is no exception. Her stunning watercolour pictures in many bright colours bring the meaningful text to life. She uses a range of different animal characters to illustrate each activity, too.

This is an engaging picture book perfect to read with little ones on Father’s Day, and as a tribute to fathers for all they do year long. The book also works well as a beautiful gift for a new dad or a busy, overwhelmed father.

Please note: Affirm Press provided a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

If it’s a humorous title you’re after to have a giggle about as a family this Father’s Day, check out My Dad Snores, published by Puffin Books (Penguin Australia). Upon pulling the review copy of the book out of its packaging, I immediately knew it was illustrated by the wonderful, award-winning Peter Carnavas.

Pete’s work is distinctive and I can spot his gorgeous illustrations a mile away. He brings his wry sense of humour, excellent character studies, and relatable artwork to the forefront here as illustrator. The watercolour and pencil artworks bring a typically Australian family to life in a humorous way that pairs perfectly with the text by iconic singer-songwriter John Williamson.

The story takes Williamson’s song about a Dad who snores and puts it into picture book format, in a way that children and other parent buyers will giggle at when they recognise the snoring father in their lives. Since Williamson is known around the world for his “True Blue” Aussie stories, I loved seeing Carnavas bring Australian landscapes, creatures, households, and situations to life. In addition, I believe Williamson himself is depicted throughout along with, I assume, many of his personal photographs, possessions, and more.

The story is narrated by a young boy character, and readers will be keen to get to the end to find out what solution he and the rest of his tired, driven-crazy-by-snoring family come up with to deal with the locomotive noises they hear each night.

Please note: Penguin provided a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.