Our Dad

This is a charming story about the things that matter most in families. The children’s working-from-home father is not a domestic god, but when it comes down to the important parts of being a parent (listening, giving time, chasing away monsters from under the bed), Dad is the best.

The illustrations are fun and bright. I particularly like Dad’s sheepish expression when he’s late for school pick up time and the kids’ expressions when Dad takes a very clean pair of football boots out of the dishwasher.

The first half of the book takes you through many of Dad’s parenting mishaps, and if it wasn’t for the blurb giving you a heads up about the point of the story, this could begin to feel a bit uncomfortable as poor Dad is trying his best. However, the storytelling switches around to all the kind and wonderful things that their father does do and it becomes one of those books that could make you well up in front of a class if you weren’t prepared.

A light hearted but thought provoking book about priorities and relationships.

Title: Our Dad

Author: David Ling

Illustrator: Nicky Sievert

Publisher: Duck Creek Press

ISBN: 978-1-927305-42-3

RRP: $29.99

Format: Hardback

Date of Publication: 2018

Ages: 5-13

Reviewer’s name: Kirsten Puddick, Librarian, Holy Cross School (Wellington)

How highly are you recommending this book? Recommended

First sentence: Our Dad works from home.

You can buy this book here