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Mustache Baby #1
Mustache Baby
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Picture Books (2013)When Baby Billy is born with a mustache, his family takes it in stride. They are reassured when he nobly saves the day in imaginary-play sessions as a cowboy or cop and his mustache looks good-guy great. But as time passes, their worst fears are confirmed when little Billy’s mustache starts to curl up at the ends in a suspiciously villainous fashion. Sure enough, “Billy’s disreputable mustache led him into a life of dreadful crime.” Plenty of tongue-in-cheek humor and cartoonish illustrations make this the perfect baby-shower gift for a mustachioed father-to-be.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published May 14, 2013
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1421 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 477 reviews
January 25, 2017
Having read this probably 100 times, I think that qualifies me to review this book for toddlers.
Mustache Baby is weird. I like weird, in theory. Which is why I bought this. Mustache Baby can be read on many levels, which is interesting for a book marketed for 2-5 year olds. But within its strength also lies its weakness.
Unlike most books for this age group, the words often don't correspond to the pictures, which is confusing and leads to digressions which divert from the narrative. I'll explain.
There's a picture showing a smug Billy the Cop and his very annoyed older siblings, but the words tell us that "Everyone loved having Officer Billy around." That's irony. Because the picture says one thing, and the words say the opposite. And that's great for me, the adult, because it's funny, because I understand irony.
My 1.5 year old daughter, however, doesn't understand irony. So I can't imagine what she's thinking looking at this picture. Which is why this book trying to be clever and ironic is actually counterproductive to educating my daughter.
I'm wondering if this problem is on the illustrator, Joy Ang, trying to transcend a one-dimensional story and make this more dynamic. Or if Bridget Heos really doesn't care if the kids get the whole story. But it's become rather annoying the more I read it.
What's funny also is how fast the story fades from the premise. A baby is born with a mustache, and time will tell if it's a "good guy mustache or a bad guy mustache." Naturally, Billy goes through stages of both. At the height of his evil, without any clues from the narration, the bad guy mustache suddenly fades, and we're told that Billy was merely having a "bad mustache day."
But wait, I thought we were waiting to see if he was definitively good or evil. So it was just a bad day, like Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad [Mustache]? I'm confused. Because it seems like the premise just goes out the window. Either that or Heos is telling us that it isn't absolute, we aren't definitively good or evil, we have good days and bad days. She doesn't actually say this though. Because I'm probably just projecting my own justification and understanding onto the story.
That said, the story is quick, quirky, has a decent if obscurely arrived upon moral, and the illustrations really are quite good. But the words not describing the pictures is rather bizarre for a children's book.
Mustache Baby is weird. I like weird, in theory. Which is why I bought this. Mustache Baby can be read on many levels, which is interesting for a book marketed for 2-5 year olds. But within its strength also lies its weakness.
Unlike most books for this age group, the words often don't correspond to the pictures, which is confusing and leads to digressions which divert from the narrative. I'll explain.
There's a picture showing a smug Billy the Cop and his very annoyed older siblings, but the words tell us that "Everyone loved having Officer Billy around." That's irony. Because the picture says one thing, and the words say the opposite. And that's great for me, the adult, because it's funny, because I understand irony.
My 1.5 year old daughter, however, doesn't understand irony. So I can't imagine what she's thinking looking at this picture. Which is why this book trying to be clever and ironic is actually counterproductive to educating my daughter.
I'm wondering if this problem is on the illustrator, Joy Ang, trying to transcend a one-dimensional story and make this more dynamic. Or if Bridget Heos really doesn't care if the kids get the whole story. But it's become rather annoying the more I read it.
What's funny also is how fast the story fades from the premise. A baby is born with a mustache, and time will tell if it's a "good guy mustache or a bad guy mustache." Naturally, Billy goes through stages of both. At the height of his evil, without any clues from the narration, the bad guy mustache suddenly fades, and we're told that Billy was merely having a "bad mustache day."
But wait, I thought we were waiting to see if he was definitively good or evil. So it was just a bad day, like Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad [Mustache]? I'm confused. Because it seems like the premise just goes out the window. Either that or Heos is telling us that it isn't absolute, we aren't definitively good or evil, we have good days and bad days. She doesn't actually say this though. Because I'm probably just projecting my own justification and understanding onto the story.
That said, the story is quick, quirky, has a decent if obscurely arrived upon moral, and the illustrations really are quite good. But the words not describing the pictures is rather bizarre for a children's book.
February 19, 2017
I usually don't add all the kids books I read on here, but this is one my son has made me read so many times that it may as well have equaled a full sized novel. It's hilarious, especially for kids five and under. My son laughs every time!
July 9, 2013
This is currently a favorite at bedtime. Even my 17 month old sits completely enwrapped. Good stuff.
March 5, 2017
Listen, folks. I read this fresh batch of bird turd at work this morning. I'm talking six AM, bitches. It was awful, being up that early. Shitty, even. So there I was in the dairy cooler, breaking the load down (LIKE A PORN STAR) and then I go into the back of the store and sitting on the Grocery desk is a book. A kid's book. Normally the sight of a book is nough for me to get a writer's erect, but this one sported a baby. A goddamn baby with a moustache (NICE TYPO ON THE COVER OF YOUR BOOK YOU FUCKING HACK)! So since I'm delirious I read it. Takes all of forty fucking seconds, and let me tell you, the last time I read such a hot pile of toasty smegma was when I made the mistake of reading Naked Lunch because David Cronenberg made a film adaptation of it (Cronenberg is the man- The Fly is one of the best body horror movies ever made, right up there with REANIMATOR and others that I'm forgetting right now). So this goddamn baby. This goddamn baby crawls out of the mom's vagina with a moustache. A MOUSTACHE. You know, I am not a guy who always needs the rules of storytelling followed, but for Buddha's sake, why does this baby sport any amount of facial hair asidefrom his mother's placenta all over his face? Dick if I know. (BTW I've had the liquor equivalent of a six pack, let's all cheer and celebrate). So the dotctor says "Is it a good moustache or a bad moustace? Like... WHAT? I HAVE A MOUSTACHE AND I AM NOT EVIL. At least I don't think so.Maybe I'm harboring a Kandarian demon, A la evil dead but I don't think so because my chin is nowhere near as spectacular as Bruce Campbell's. But basically this baby does a bunch of good guy stuff, except it's a metaphor for all his playing. He pretends to be a good person. Then, OUT OF TAP DANCING CHRIST NOWHERE, he becomes evil and starts stealing his siblings' money and a whole bunch of other stupid goddamn bullshit I don't give a fat flying heck about. He gets put in "jail" by his mom (HIS PROGENITOR) (Have I mentioned how drunk Iam) then kind of dinks around for a page, then gets released from this "jail". By his mom. And at the end his mom says HEY BABY WHO CANT UNDERSTAND PROPER ENGLISH WE GOT ANOTHER BABY COMING OVER and sure enough the kid has a dicking lumberjack beard. Like, What fuck? Okay, that's a goddamn clifhanger of an ending, and for a mofacking kid's book, I don't see why we need a sequel hook in this book. It takes less than a minute to read, and that;s coming from someone who read itwhile extremely sleep deprived. This book makes me want to drop a fat ass dump on it. Een for a kid's book, which has low standards because little kids are idiots, this book teaches a bad lesson- you will eventually become evil, and you will be cleaned of your sins by someone who is morepowerful than you. I'd rather puncture my nuts with a rusty croquet hoop than read this pile of aardvark puke again. And this book makes me want to shave. #facialhairshaming #no
September 20, 2018
This book is so amazing and funny! All the kids loved this story!
September 11, 2017
Too cute! Read this to my son and we both loved it :)
April 2, 2017
This book tries way too hard to be funny. Everyone knows babies are never born with mustaches. And, that ending is unreal, too.
October 6, 2019
When Billy is born with a mustache, his parents learn that this could be either bad or good, depending on what kind of mustache it turns out to be. At first all seems well, as Billy devotes himself to benevolent actions, from protecting his cattle to fighting crime. But then his mustache begins to curl at the ends, and his parents' worst fears seems to be realized. Is Billy destined for villainy...?
An amusing look at the vacillating moods of childhood, Mustache Baby uses an unusual lens - the mustache - as a way of exploring both the unconscious and conscious trouble that babies and toddlers get themselves into. Having seen this used as a story-hour selection here at work, I can attest to the fact that its humorous narrative and colorful, appealing illustrations work very well to keep young children entertained. Recommended to anyone looking for stories for the younger picture-book set that have a slightly offbeat sense of humor.
An amusing look at the vacillating moods of childhood, Mustache Baby uses an unusual lens - the mustache - as a way of exploring both the unconscious and conscious trouble that babies and toddlers get themselves into. Having seen this used as a story-hour selection here at work, I can attest to the fact that its humorous narrative and colorful, appealing illustrations work very well to keep young children entertained. Recommended to anyone looking for stories for the younger picture-book set that have a slightly offbeat sense of humor.
April 24, 2013
Short and Sweet: Pronounced "Moosetache" Baby. This was our family's most anticipated PB for 2013 and there's a reason why. It's brilliant. The text coupled with the illustrations bring down the house. Both of my kiddos have been reading it non-stop for days now and I don't anticipate them stopping anytime soon.
Oh, and the ending is priceless. My kiddos already have ideas for the second book, which we're hoping comes to fruition. We LOVE this book!
Full Review to Come.
Oh, and the ending is priceless. My kiddos already have ideas for the second book, which we're hoping comes to fruition. We LOVE this book!
Full Review to Come.
July 16, 2013
This book convinced me that all babies should be born with mustaches, even the girls. It would make them so cute with their tiny furry upper lips. Can you imagine a 6 month old with a Burt Reynolds or a Tom Selleck? Stupid cute! It's a very good thing I do not have a baby at my disposal or I would be drawing a mustache on it right now. Mothers, lock up your babies.
November 4, 2013
This is hilarious! I have read plenty of picture books this past year but this one takes the cake!
April 22, 2015
I didn't realized I hadn't added this one. It's been a favorite with my students for about two years!
April 28, 2021
Okay, okay. This is hilarious.
June 2, 2024
Unironically one of the best books I’ve ever read
March 21, 2019
Billy is just an ordinary baby... With an extraordinary mustache! His parents get some wise words from the nurse at the hospital - watch to see if it is a "good-guy" or a "bad-guy" mustache. At first his noble mustache spurs him to a noble and just exploits. But when one day it starts to curl into a "bad-guy" mustache... Look out!
Why it is brilliant: The amusing wordplay is complimented with outstanding illustrations. Billy's journey of self discovery mirrors his facial hair. His noble pursuits don't thrill his older siblings - particularly his hilarious turn as "helpful" Officer Billy. And when his bad-guy mustache turns him into a "cereal" criminal the laughs keep coming, all the way through the end of his spree - a (piggy) bank heist that ends with Billy doing time behind (crib) bars.
Fortunately for Billy his mother springs him from "jail" and the warm heart of the book is revealed. He is gently reassured by both of his parents that everybody has a bad mustache day now and then.
You can read more of my reviews at https://ayneblogsite.wordpress.com
Why it is brilliant: The amusing wordplay is complimented with outstanding illustrations. Billy's journey of self discovery mirrors his facial hair. His noble pursuits don't thrill his older siblings - particularly his hilarious turn as "helpful" Officer Billy. And when his bad-guy mustache turns him into a "cereal" criminal the laughs keep coming, all the way through the end of his spree - a (piggy) bank heist that ends with Billy doing time behind (crib) bars.
Fortunately for Billy his mother springs him from "jail" and the warm heart of the book is revealed. He is gently reassured by both of his parents that everybody has a bad mustache day now and then.
You can read more of my reviews at https://ayneblogsite.wordpress.com
July 21, 2017
I really tried with this book, but a mustache on a baby weirded me out enough to keep this from getting a very high star rating.
I DO like Mustache Baby when he has the Sam Elliot 'stache going. And it's funny and interesting when he starts going 'bad' with that little curl at the ends of the mustache. So the book has some silly alongside a gentle lesson about attitude which was fun. So instead of five stars I'm giving four.
Because that mustache folks...it's just weird.
I DO like Mustache Baby when he has the Sam Elliot 'stache going. And it's funny and interesting when he starts going 'bad' with that little curl at the ends of the mustache. So the book has some silly alongside a gentle lesson about attitude which was fun. So instead of five stars I'm giving four.
Because that mustache folks...it's just weird.
October 7, 2019
I was ranting at a friend the other day about the mediocrity of most of the picture books I see this days. And this is a prime example. I bought this because I know it will circulate, and I need crap to circulate so I can buy the GOOD books. Same reason I buy those 8X8 mass media paperbacks. But I knew I wouldn't like it. And I don't.
Yes, I KNOW that your little darlings are screaming with laughter over the kid with the mustache. But aside from that, the jokes here are for the grownups. Can you spell sarcasm? Irony? I know you can. You also probably get such things. Does your 3 year old?
Try Moosetache by the wonderful Marge Palatini. Or, if you really want to giggle at kids with mustaches, James Stevenson's books where a grandpa reminisces about his childhood, and both he and his brother are portrayed as having had mustaches as kids, are funny, and much, much (repeat about 20 times) better than this book.
Yes, I KNOW that your little darlings are screaming with laughter over the kid with the mustache. But aside from that, the jokes here are for the grownups. Can you spell sarcasm? Irony? I know you can. You also probably get such things. Does your 3 year old?
Try Moosetache by the wonderful Marge Palatini. Or, if you really want to giggle at kids with mustaches, James Stevenson's books where a grandpa reminisces about his childhood, and both he and his brother are portrayed as having had mustaches as kids, are funny, and much, much (repeat about 20 times) better than this book.
June 10, 2017
Okay, so normally I wouldn't add a kid's book like this on my Goodreads, but I REALLY did love this cute little story as I stood there in Second & Charles and flipped through it quickly.
I'm 22 years old, but I'd be lying if I said that when Billy's mustache becomes "bad" and he became a CEREAL killer as he ate a bowl of cereal that I didn't laugh so hard tears welled up in my eyes.
If I hadn't forgot my wallet, I so would have bought it for my future kids. No regrets.
(My boyfriend was being mean and refused to buy it even though it was less than $5 and he sure was quick to buy another kid's book)
I'm 22 years old, but I'd be lying if I said that when Billy's mustache becomes "bad" and he became a CEREAL killer as he ate a bowl of cereal that I didn't laugh so hard tears welled up in my eyes.
If I hadn't forgot my wallet, I so would have bought it for my future kids. No regrets.
(My boyfriend was being mean and refused to buy it even though it was less than $5 and he sure was quick to buy another kid's book)
May 5, 2024
Great for my toddler, who demanded we read these books every night for weeks. Honestly, this is the first truly "favorite" book that he's asked for again and again. He's almost the years old and just starting to explore the concept of "good guys" and "bad guys."
The series is fun for my husband and me, too. We put on a bit of a southern accent for parts of the book (and in the sequel, too). It teaches about consequences (time-out style, nothing traumatizing) and social concepts.
We've read all but the holiday one so far. I look forward to finding it for the next holiday season.
The series is fun for my husband and me, too. We put on a bit of a southern accent for parts of the book (and in the sequel, too). It teaches about consequences (time-out style, nothing traumatizing) and social concepts.
We've read all but the holiday one so far. I look forward to finding it for the next holiday season.
June 4, 2019
Bonus points because the baby on the cover is wearing a cloth diaper. 😅
In all seriousness, I love this book for kids. It is great for thinking about the consequences of our actions. And so adorable!
Edit: this really made my 5 year old stop and evaluate his behavior choices!!
In all seriousness, I love this book for kids. It is great for thinking about the consequences of our actions. And so adorable!
Edit: this really made my 5 year old stop and evaluate his behavior choices!!
March 16, 2021
Not quite as absurd as I feared it might be, as the humor is of a variety of sorts, from slapstick to parody to wry observations on the nature of human frailties. Illustrations are silly, but bright, clear, and apt. I am charmed and will read more by the creators.
October 5, 2017
These books are so cute! I can’t fight the smile and laughs that come with reading these two. They will forever be in my library so my children and their children and their children...
January 5, 2022
I can’t quite relate to the protagonist, but I still enjoyed this one.
April 5, 2022
Very cute. I laughed. You should read this to your kids. Your inner kid, your outer kid. All the kids.
February 28, 2019
A co-worker shared this with me, and I'm so glad she did because it is laugh out loud hilarious. I can't wait to read it in Story Times.
June 3, 2025
I want a moustache too
September 3, 2016
One of my coworkers bought this book for another coworker whose wife is expecting; we all signed a page in place of a greeting card. Most of us couldn't resist reading it at the same time.
In this book, Baby Billy is welcomed into the world... but he comes out, surprisingly, with a mustache! Is it a good-guy mustache or an evil mustache? His family has to wait to find out. At first, Billy does good (or tries to). But as any little kid, sometimes he inadvertently causes chaos. For example, on the page I signed, he's kind to animals and is seen patching up his adorable stuffed animal... but he's accidentally standing on his cat's tail while he does it. Oops! heehee I also loved him breaking up his brother & sister's poker game (but they were really playing Settlers of Catan). One day, however, Billy's mustache curls up at the ends and becomes an evil mustache--the book gets dark pretty quickly! Could Billy actually be bad? Nawwww, of course not. His parents love him and know what to do. And, in the end, there's a final startling surprise to laugh at. Definitely a funny book. And lovely illustrations that bring so much character to the story.
The best was watching my coworker and his wife reading the book together during their baby shower. The expressions on their faces and gasps, squeals, squeaks, and other sounds they made during the various plot twists totally made my day.
In this book, Baby Billy is welcomed into the world... but he comes out, surprisingly, with a mustache! Is it a good-guy mustache or an evil mustache? His family has to wait to find out. At first, Billy does good (or tries to). But as any little kid, sometimes he inadvertently causes chaos. For example, on the page I signed, he's kind to animals and is seen patching up his adorable stuffed animal... but he's accidentally standing on his cat's tail while he does it. Oops! heehee I also loved him breaking up his brother & sister's poker game (but they were really playing Settlers of Catan). One day, however, Billy's mustache curls up at the ends and becomes an evil mustache--the book gets dark pretty quickly! Could Billy actually be bad? Nawwww, of course not. His parents love him and know what to do. And, in the end, there's a final startling surprise to laugh at. Definitely a funny book. And lovely illustrations that bring so much character to the story.
The best was watching my coworker and his wife reading the book together during their baby shower. The expressions on their faces and gasps, squeals, squeaks, and other sounds they made during the various plot twists totally made my day.
December 5, 2013
Mustache Baby by Bridget Heos, published 2013.
Magic realism.
Picture book.
Pre-K to grade 1.
Found via Kirkus Reviews, reviewer not identified.
When Billy was born, he was born with a mustache. The nurse told his parents to wait and see if it's a good-guy mustache or a bad-guy mustache, and that's what they do. At first, Billy does good deeds like caring for his stuffed animals, but as he becomes a toddler his mustache curls and he begins to do bad-guy deeds, like stealing a toy train, and ends up in "jail" (time out in a crib). Eventually, his mother saves him and lets him know that everyone has good-guy and bad-guy days, so he's fine. The artwork is especially endearing in this book, with a cute-and-funny style that will give children a lot to look at as they reread the book, and the narrative is funny enough to keep the strong message from feeling too forced. Kirkus Reviews agrees, stating, "Heos' simple and silly metaphorical tale of the terrible twos will definitely entertain parents and children older than Billy. Twos will, at least, giggle over every page of the digitally created, jewel-eyed, cartoon illustrations, with their mix of Saturday-morning slapstick, dramatic comic-book angles and mustachioed babies." There is nothing offensive in this book, except for mustachioed babies.
Magic realism.
Picture book.
Pre-K to grade 1.
Found via Kirkus Reviews, reviewer not identified.
When Billy was born, he was born with a mustache. The nurse told his parents to wait and see if it's a good-guy mustache or a bad-guy mustache, and that's what they do. At first, Billy does good deeds like caring for his stuffed animals, but as he becomes a toddler his mustache curls and he begins to do bad-guy deeds, like stealing a toy train, and ends up in "jail" (time out in a crib). Eventually, his mother saves him and lets him know that everyone has good-guy and bad-guy days, so he's fine. The artwork is especially endearing in this book, with a cute-and-funny style that will give children a lot to look at as they reread the book, and the narrative is funny enough to keep the strong message from feeling too forced. Kirkus Reviews agrees, stating, "Heos' simple and silly metaphorical tale of the terrible twos will definitely entertain parents and children older than Billy. Twos will, at least, giggle over every page of the digitally created, jewel-eyed, cartoon illustrations, with their mix of Saturday-morning slapstick, dramatic comic-book angles and mustachioed babies." There is nothing offensive in this book, except for mustachioed babies.
June 25, 2013
This hilarious and pun-filled title ["a cat burglar" (p. 28) and "a cereal criminal" (p. 29)]tells the story of Billy, a child born with a mustache. As he grows up, he seems to be dedicated to good deeds, but eventually, that mustache turns up, and seemingly leads him to a life of mayhem and mischief. Readers will smile as they read this book and enjoy the twist at the ending. The digital illustrations add a great deal to the already-amusing story as they allow readers to see scenes in which Billy robs a piggy bank and steals the train tracks from his playmates. As I read this one, I smiled all the way to the very last page.
February 8, 2016
This book is an incredibly fun read and has an underlying message of "good" vs "evil" that kids can pick up on as they see the main character progress throughout the book. They witness the effects of the positive and negative actions of the baby on others around the character, and they see some of the consequences of those choices. It's also super great to see the stages of good and evil emulated in the shape of the mustache, and with illustration that fits my style, and some hidden humor only adults would understand, I highly recommend this riot of a read.
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