How to Train a Dad (Sally Barns, illus Noémie Gionet Landry, Affirm)

How to Train a Dad, written by Sally Barns and illustrated by Noémie Gionet Landry, is a funny and imaginative picture book that presents itself as a manual for kids on how to ‘train’ their dad and stop him from malfunctioning. The book starts by explaining that all kinds of dads – old, new, working, stay-at-home, foster and stepdads – need proper training. Kids are guided through a series of tongue-in-cheek instructions, such as pressing their dad’s ears to activate ‘listening mode’ and calling his name repeatedly to test if it worked, or fuelling him with snacks to encourage regular exercise. The ‘training’ covers everything, right through to advanced features like hair styling. The final and most prized function is the ability to deliver dad jokes, with a few included for readers to test out. If things go wrong and Dad looks ready to short-circuit, there’s a simple solution: let him take a nap. How to Train a Dad is a fun read-aloud experience for families, especially around Father’s Day, and features a wide range of dads and children, both visually and in the text. Landry’s illustrations are bright, bold and cartoonish, with clean lines and a modern feel that will appeal to readers aged 4–8.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Jess Lomas is reviews editor for Books+Publishing. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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