The Dressing-up Dad - Story Snug

The Dressing-Up Dad by Maudie Smith & Paul Howard

The Dressing-Up Dad is a fun loving, very unique Dad, he isn’t ‘ordinary’ like other dads! Danny and his dad have great fun dressing up together but when Dad becomes an ordinary dad for a day, Danny learns how important it is to be encouraged to be yourself.

The Story: Danny and his dad love dressing up but sometimes Danny wonders what it would be like to have an ‘ordinary everyday dad’. So Danny asks his dad to come to his birthday party as an ordinary dad. ‘Ordinary Dad’ organises a great party but then Danny realises that he wants his dad to have fun too. When Dad dresses up none of Danny’s friends want to go home!

We love the costumes that Danny and his dad wear and think it’s funny that the dog wears a costume that matches their themes too! ‘Dressing-Up Dad’ is who Danny’s dad is and ultimately Danny acknowledges this as well as realising that he has the best dad in the world.

Most children love to dress up and they particularly love it when parents join in with their dressing up games. Danny and his dad take this to a new level, as well as dressing up for birthday parties they dress up on all occasions including bathtime and when building a snowman. But children can also find it difficult when their parents stand out from the crowd so Dad fulfils Danny’s birthday wish and wears an outfit like every other dad. At the party Danny learns a valuable lesson, our individuality should be celebrated, and we love the final double spread which shows Dad and Danny shopping in their own inimitable style!

Paul Howard’s illustrations are full of humour, we particularly like the birthday party scenes when Danny and his dad really have fun with their costumes. It’s amazing how many different costumes are included in the story but my daughter’s particular favourite is Dad’s onesie. I find Dad’s octopus costume funny and love the dog’s matching fishy costume.

The Dressing-Up Dad is a great story to give to a dad as a Fathers’ Day or birthday present. It’s a lovely celebration of a father / son relationship with a great underlying message.

Author: Maudie Smith / Illustrator: Paul Howard


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14 responses to “The Dressing-Up Dad by Maudie Smith & Paul Howard”


  1. Debbie avatar

    Hi Catherine, who wants an ordinary Dad? This book sounds great for teaching children that it’s okay to be different. I’m not sure if any Dad should ever wear a onesie though! *shudder*

    Thank you for linking up with the #MMBC.

    xx


    1. Catherine avatar

      It is a great book for showing how it’s good to be yourself. (I can’t imagine my dad in a onesie either!!).


  2. Lauren - The Helpful Hiker avatar

    This sounds like a great book, I love simple stories and this looks so much fun. #TriedTested


    1. Catherine avatar

      Often the simpler stories are the ones that we read over and over again. This one is a really fun story 🙂


  3. Louise Fairweather avatar

    This sounds a fun book for little ones #triedtested


    1. Catherine avatar

      It’s also a fun book for an adult to read aloud. We love all the different costumes 🙂


  4. Fiona Cambouropoulos avatar

    I love books like this and totally agree with the sentiment of the book #TriedTested


    1. Catherine avatar

      Yes, it so important that we be ourselves and don’t try and be what or who others would like us to be 🙂


  5. Caitlin avatar

    My kids’ favorite books are always the ones with a good dose of silliness! Sounds like one they would enjoy.


    1. Catherine avatar

      There’s a lot of silliness but I love the way that it’s also portrayed as normal 🙂


  6. mummy here and here avatar

    Haha, this looks a very funny book. Nice to see humour in children’s books X #mmbc


    1. Catherine avatar

      It is funny but it’s also believable everyday funny 🙂


  7. Laurel avatar

    Catherine,
    This looks like a great book for laughing with your kids! What a unique concept.
    Laurel


    1. Catherine avatar

      Hi Laurel, it’s a really simple concept but those are often the most successful. It’s a really humorous story with a great message 🙂