How to Cheer Up Dad (Hardback) - Common

by Fred Koehler

Excellent Book

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens, Humor, Storytime, Animals, Fiction

Hardcover

First published March 20, 2014

About the author

Fred Koehler is an artist and writer whose real-life misadventures include sunken boats, shark encounters, and getting caught in a hurricane. Whether freediving in the Gulf of Mexico or backpacking across Africa, Fred's sense of adventure and awe of nature overflow into his characters' stories. He won a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Award for his illustrations for One Day, The End. Fred is passionate about encouraging young artists, promoting social justice, and conserving our environment. He lives in Florida with his wife, kids, and a rescue dog named Cheerio Mutt-Face McChubbybutt. Visit www.ilikefred.com

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

After causing his dad much aggravation, a little elephant tries, rather charmingly, to win him over again. Cute illustrations by the author.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Jumbo’s dad is having a very bad day, but Little Jumbo can’t figure out why. When Little Jumbo spits his raisins at the ceiling, his dad should have remembered not to put them in his oatmeal since Little Jumbo doesn’t like them. His dad also should have remembered that Little Jumbo doesn’t like his brown overalls, but he didn’t so Little Jumbo ran out of the house naked. Little Jumbo had to figure out how to cheer up dad, especially after getting a time out when it seemed like Dad needed one himself. So Little Jumbo sets out to make the perfect cheering-up afternoon with Dad, and it works. Maybe.

Koehler tells one story with his words and another in the pictures. This makes for great fun especially with his dead-on sense of timing for humor. The story is told in Little Jumbo’s voice, but the images show the point of view of the father quite clearly and the mishaps that Little Jumbo has all morning long. The blissful afternoon together makes this book a little deeper and less madcap, much to the book’s credit. But the final twist at the end brings the laughter right back again.

Koehler’s art will appeal to fans of Mo Willems with its clear lines, silly humor and a strong relationship between the two characters. Little Jumbo and his father are two charming characters who related together with a mix of frustration and love.

Filled with laughs, this is sure to cheer up bedtime at any house but particularly if shared by a dad. Appropriate for ages 4-6.

[Venus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little Jumbo simply can't understand why his dad is having such a bad day. It can't be the raisins he spit out at the ceiling, or the bath he refused to take, but Little Jumbo has a plan to cheer his dad up.

A cute book that kids and parents will both relate to, How to Cheer Up Dad left me both smiling and wanting a little bit more. There is a wonderful mischievousness to Little Jumbo, yet there was never any understanding on his part, never any accountability that it was his actions that were upsetting his dad. There is of course, a Where the Wild Things Are ending with an of-course-I-love-you theme, but it was missing some of that magic. I did like that it was just a dad and child, which would make it perfect for Father's Day and single dads.

Review originally posted here on Children's Atheneum

[Donalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming book about a baby elephant who tests his dad's patience, but finds ways to turn it around each day. Destined to be a Father's Day classic.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Jumbo goes to great things to cheer up his dad, unaware the he is the cause of his dad's bad mood.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-read in May and liked it better the second time so I added a star.

[Mr. George The Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

funny...because it is true.

[Casandria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and funny, although I feel for the dad...

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious book. I've probably sold a dozen copies telling others about it.

Little Jumbo is close to his dad and senses Dad is having a bad day, as Little Jumbo walks out of the kitchen dressed in cereal boxes, leaving behind a pile of cereal splayed across the floor. Innocent of his contribution to dad’s mood, Little Jumbo claims that, “Dad forgot that [he] did not like wearing his brown overalls”, when he dashes into the street wearing only his birthday suit. Trying to cheer up his dad, Little Jumbo starts with a hug. After he reads his dad a bedtime story and tucks him in to sleep, he wonders ‘how much cheering up he’ll need tomorrow…’, as he dashes out the room in a cape and mask cut from a window curtain.

Author/illustrator Fred Koehler absolutely captures the emotions—and irony—of the dance between father and son. A must read for father and toddler son.

[Taylor Meier · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to Cheer Up Dad written by Fred Koehler was an adorable book showing how a small little elephant named Jumbo tries to cheer up his dad. Jumbo notices that his dad is in a bad mood after Jumbo made a mess with his breakfast, refused to take a bath, and ran out of the house without his brown overalls. Jumbo decides that to make his dad happy again, he will do all of the things that he knows makes him happy. Jumbo decides to first give his dad a great big hug, because who doesn't love a hug! Then Jumbo plays catch with his dad, takes him for some ice cream, and even fishing at the lake. My favorite part of this story was when Jumbo tucked his dad into bed and waited until his dad was fast asleep until he quietly sneaked out of the bed and continued to cause more messes! This book is a very good read for future educators!

[Tabitha Broek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a little elephant whose dad kept messing up. Like raisins in the oatmeal, and bathing when he already did that week. The little elephant suggested his dad needed to go into a time out. But he did instead. The little elephant decided that he was going to cheer up his dad do they did all the things that his dad like. Getting ice cream, going on a walk, and then he tucked his dad into bed. I think this is a great story to show to kids. It shows that you can take care of your parents as well do nice things for them to help cheer them up. I really liked this book I felt like it was very heart warming and sweet. I think this would be a great book to read around Father’s Day to get students excited about Father’s Day and all the things that they can do for there fathers.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This hilarious book is written by a dad with "two spirited kids".
The main character in the book, was inspired by an experience with one of his real life sons.
In this story, the father is an elephant whose baby is very active, creative, strong willed and innocently stirs up havoc. While the baby elephant doesn't understand the consequences of his actions and the challenges he creates for dad, he is also very sensitive. He notices that dad seems to be having a "bad day". The way he sets about consoling "Dad" is indeed very funny and heartwarming.
I think both parents, children, or anyone who is fond of children will love this. Even anyone who used to be a child most likely would, too.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dad is having a bad day and Little Jumbo just doesn't understand why. Dad should have known Little Jumbo would spit the raisins from his oatmeal on the ceiling because Dad knows he doesn't like raisins. Dad shouldn't be upset when Little Jumbo goes running outside naked because he doesn't want to wear his brown overalls, Dad knows he doesn't like his brown overalls. Etc. Etc. A funny (for parents, I'm not sure the target audience for picture books will get the humor) story about a little elephant who wears out his dad every day.

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Jumbo's dad seems a bit cross. Little Jumbo knows just what to do to cheer him up. Oddly, it seems like these are all Little Jumbo's favorite things as well. An adorable little book. I think storytime parents will especially enjoy it. Kids will like the little elephant's antics. Could foster a discussion with the kids on what are their favorite ways to cheer up. Will definitely try this one for storytime.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the artwork in this book. Little Elephant has been a bit of a pill and now Dad is sad, so Little Elephant is going to do everything he can to cheer up dad. I like the idea behind this book, but find the execution lacking. The things to cheer up dad, are actually things that make Little Elephant happy. Then there is what brought on the sadness to begin with. There was no apology, or trying to act better. Just not a lasting book.

[Daija · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is for children. The topic is to show the importance of making others happy. In this book the elephant's goal was to make his dad happy. At first he was acting up then he noticed his dad didn’t like his behavior. Eventually the elephant started changing his act and springing time with his dad which he liked. Overall I rate this book a 4/5 because I think it’s something the kids would enjoy, I also think it could make kids laugh.

[Jenn Ferna Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

For starters, the illustrations couldn't be any more adorable. I first heard about this book while listening to an old Picturebooking podcast episode with Koehler and am glad I picked up this sweet, silly book that touches the heart so often.

[Kirsten Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and charming book that surely brings to mind the Little Jumbos we have all known in our lives! This would be a great book for talking about point of view/perspective because Dad’s POV of this day is certainly very different from Little Jumbo’s!

[Donna Mork · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little elephant is a handful, getting his dad frustrated. Then the elephant helps cheer him up, ending with tucking him in, reading him a story, and putting him to sleep.

[Patti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adorable! Perfect story for dads to share with their little ones. Recommended for pre-k - k

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great art, funny story. The kids enjoyed this one, and fortunately assured me they would never try the nonsense the main character tries at the end...

[Olivia S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this one. Such cute illustrations. Cute, understated text. Funny story. Great. Will use. 3+

[Jennifer W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally cute, can't wait for Tom to read it!

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny story about a little elephant innocently causing a bad day for his dad, but then he finds ways to cheer him up. Funny ending. Fun illustrations.

[Ivory · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about family and thinking of others. A lovely book with a cute storyline. Good for a classroom library.
Copyright 2014

[Brigitte · Rating 3 out of 5]

An adorable young elephant trying to cheer up his Dad for some "unknown" reason. :D Illustrations remind me of Sunday morning comics.

[Denise Schlachtaub · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story that teaches beginning readers empathy, compassion, kindness, and sharing.

[Gal · Rating 5 out of 5]

איזה ספר חמוד ומקסים

[Delonna Gibbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great dad story especially if you have a curious child who pushes a few buttons 🤣🤣🤣

[Suzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clever book. The kids enjoyed it and loved the illustrations.