Daddy Makes the Best Spaghetti

by Anna Grossnickle Hines

Not only does Corey's father make the best spaghetti, but he also dresses up as Bathman and acts like a silly dog with pajama legs for ears.

Genres: Family, Picture Books, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Food

12 pages, Board Book

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story about a young child who recounts the activities of his afternoon and evening, focusing in his father's silly antics.

The story shows how fathers can be just as actively involved in cooking, cleaning, bath time, and bedtime routines as moms can.

It's a short book, with just a few simple sentences on each page. This is a good book to read with children before bed.

[Jennifer]

This book reminds me of cooking with my children. We loved being together in the kitchen. By the way, all 3 of my grown children are great cooks! This book offers a good sense of family because a dad and his son share a trip to the grocery store, cooking, cleaning up with mom, bath time with dad, and play before bed.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of our favorite book and cassette combos. The recital is darling and the story has inspired a lot of imitation in our house, especially when Daddy turns into the "bath monster." It's warm and simple, full of good feeling.

[Owen Whitemyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

My nana read this to me over FaceTime, she always makes it silly when Cory does funny stuff with his dada

[Latifah Williams]

This book is written from the perspective of a little boy with his perception of his family. He thinks greatly of his dad because of his ability to cook. I like this book for my classroom because it challenges gender roles. Typically, children think of mom as the cook, but from the perspective of this little boy his dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. The illustrator did a great job in creating images that would engage the students. But, I think the author could have written this story in a way that would have later promoted discussion. As a literacy teacher, I would use this story to encourage students to write their own stories about food and the cooks in their families. I believe this will be a way to indulge ourselves in other cultures. Finally, I choose this book for my text set because it displayed loving parents and a great family dynamic.

[Tyra Denine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked how the author included a dad who cooks. Many roles in children's books have gender-typical roles. Instead of the mom in the kitchen and the dad at work or fixing a car, the child sees that both parents can contribute to the household in similar way, without gender stereotyping. It is also has bright and friendly illustrations that draws the kids into the book.

[Marla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute illustrations, good story. If more children had parents like this there would be far fewer neurotic kids/people around!
Read many, many times during Anna & Luke's childhood.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An oldie but a goodie that I read hundreds of million of times as a kid; my own dad really only knew how to make eggs so we counted on mom for spaghetti, but I still loved recognizing the wonderfully ordinary and familiar details of day-to-day life with my family tucked into each page. Extra points for depicting a working mom and homemaker dad all the way back in 1986.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daddy makes the best spaghetti . . . and is also quite the prankster (but kind of a genius, too, in how he tricks his kiddo into putting on their pajamas after bath time). A sweet, wholesome, and delightful little book about a good dad.

[Corinne N · Rating 5 out of 5]

A family favorite! My daddy read this to me and now I read to my kids!

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is fun, the first page is just a little sad.

[Pamela Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A WONDERFUL story about a young boy and his father, who not only makes the best spaghetti, he dresses up with a cape!

[Heidi Grundy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the cutest book. I remember reading it with my parents when I was little! I love the representation of shared duties between the parents. The illustrations are really cool too!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 year old absolutely loves this sweet and simple sampling of another family coming home, making dinner, and getting ready for bed. Great for helping kids have fun with chores and tasks.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

The audio is really the only way to go with this one. The song at the beginning has been living in my head rent free for about 20 years.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an older book. I discovered it a while ago and I have used it ever since. The pictures aren't great, but they follow the story & it is a simple story of one evening of a boy making spaghetti with his father... 6/13/12

I am always surprised at how well this goes over. I had one toddler at PJ Story Time and this was the story that held her interest the best. 6/11/13

Maybe a little long for my young story time... First book picked at PreK outreach!

[Jeremy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting that this book was copyrighted in 1986, and the dad picks the child up from daycare and makes dinner, and the mom comes home from work. Seems like a very determined effort to reverse traditional roles.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

(1997) Alissa loved the Daddy character. He must remind her of her Daddy. When he put the shower cap on his head and later put the pajamas on his head, she laughed.

(1999)How great to have books on tape!

[Partridge Public]

Hines, Anna Grossnickle k-1st

[Gail · Rating 1 out of 5]

Neither my husband nor I liked this book. The father is a moron and the mom comes home from work and puts on an ugly sweatsuit. On fashion grounds alone, I reject this book.

[Kandise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Domestic dad!!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The father in this story is so much like Tim that we all get a kick out of the story.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read at Family Story Time at the Tenley library on 6/13/11: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book to let kids see how the family and more importantly parents get along and work well together!

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely reflection of fairly traditional family's evening routine.

[The Book Box]

Daddy read this to me and my brother last night.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute, but forgettable.