Nelly Gnu and Daddy Too

by Anna Dewdney

"A warm, brightly illustrated story that highlights the special bond between dads and daughters from the bestselling author of the Llama Llama books." - Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor Drawing.    Reading. Building. Painting.   These are things Nelly loves to do…but they’re always better with Daddy Gnu!   With fun-to-read rhyme, a little silliness, and a lot of warmth, Anna Dewdney—the creator of the beloved llama llama books—tells the story of a daughter and her daddy and their wonderful day together.

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

40 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2014

About the author

Anna Dewdney was an award-winning children's-book author, illustrator, teacher, mother, and enthusiastic proponent of literacy and reading aloud to children. She was the author of the bestselling Llama Llama Red Pajama series of picturebooks, among many others. She lived with her partner Reed Duncan in Vermont where she worked, gardened, and spent time with her daughters and dogs.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neo enjoys this book about a little gnu and her dad, playing together. He said it reminded him of how we played together, but did point out that I have NEVER built him a fort out of a box. I suppose I better get on that!

[La Coccinelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

For those who don't know, Nelly Gnu is Llama Llama's friend. This picture book is done in the same style as the Llama Llama books, but focuses on Nelly and her relationship with her father.

After the family gets a new high chair and other baby furniture for Nelly's younger sibling, Daddy Gnu and Nelly turn the cardboard boxes into a little playhouse. When it's completed, Nelly thinks it needs something, so off they go to Home Depot (or some similar big-box store) to buy paint and brushes to decorate the playhouse. While they're there, Nelly ends up separated from Daddy Gnu, which is pretty scary. But it turns out that he's never far, and he manages to swoop in to save the day.

It's a fairly idealized look at the father-daughter relationship, which is fine if that's the case in the reader's life. I found this book a little difficult to read, though; those readers with more fractured relationships with their fathers probably aren't going to love this one. Daddy Gnu just comes across as a little too perfect: he knows how to do everything, he's protective, and he never makes a misstep. That may be how some children see their fathers, but it's by no means a universal experience.

The rhymes are cute and the pictures are nice, but I kind of felt like something was missing. Maybe it's just the fact that Llama Llama doesn't appear as a character in this one. Llamas are a lot cuter than gnus, for one thing. I'm also not sure we really get a good idea of Nelly's character here. (We've had plenty of time to get to know Llama Llama. Expecting the same level of knowledge about Nelly after just one book with her in a starring role is unrealistic, sure... but I still would've liked to see her personality developed a little bit more.)

If you like the bounce and rhythm of the Llama Llama books, you might enjoy this one, too. I don't think it's one of my favourite Anna Dewdney titles, though. Llamas > gnus. (Sorry, gnus!)

[Lizzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fine rhyming and sentiment, but lacks the building of suspense of the original. Like that is shows a Dad and daughter bonding.

[Elizabeth Mellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute for all Llama Llama fans! My 4 year old saw this at the library and yelled about how we NEEDED THE LLAMA LLAMA book - he's not always the most willing to sit and listen to a book, but he enjoyed this. Nelly and her Daddy have such a sweet day, there is a little concern that Nelly is lost in a store, but it is quickly resolved.

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful story AND illustrations.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely using this in storytime!

[Laela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hip Hip Hooray! It’s a super duper daddy & daughter day. The perfect read for little ones and their exceptional dads.

What does the modern busy dad look like? You need not look further than this endearing book by Anna Dewdney. Nelly Gnu’s dad not only builds things, he can paint, and cook, and read stories. Nelly’s dad can find lost things, be patient, and tuck little gnus in at night. Dad Gnu and Nelly too love each other; yes, it’s true.

This extraordinary rhyming book introduces gnus (and Nelly Gnu in particular!) to young readers. Gnus in real life are not all that cute, but in the book they are just darling. Nelly Gnu has bright, eye catching illustrations with fun little quirky details. There is even a cameo by Llama Llama and his momma. I feel in love with the father and daughter interactions and I’m sure you will too.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nelly Gnu who appears in one or two Llama Llama books now has her very own series (at least I assume it is a series). Nelly loves doing things with her dad. After receiving new baby furniture, Nelly and daddy make a playhouse from the big boxes. Nelly wears her toy toolbelt and helps daddy measure, cut, and past the house together. When it is time to decorate the house, they visit the home store where Nelly almost loses daddy. Very sweet depiction of a father who plays with his daughter AND makes dinner. The pictures have the same vivid quality as Dewdney's other books.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love how involved this dad is with his daughter. It is a perfect book for a dad to read with his young children. It also gives parents an excellent opportunity to talk about what to do if a child gets lost.

**Talking points - what are your favorite things that you and your dad do together? What should you do if you get lost in a store, or at an event, or in the neighborhood?

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how this book models a young girl interested in building things and a stay-at-home father who cooks dinner. It's a great book that gently pushes on established gender roles (something that's all too often ignored in picture books) without being hamfisted or devolving into a lecture. Maybe one of my favorite of Dewdney's books - the kids at storytime love it.

[Marcie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like this as much as llama llama, but maybe preschoolers and their parents will. Rhymes did not seem as smooth to me.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a charming book we brought home from the library last week. I thought these books were over-hyped until I realized it was the board books that were lame. (I don't think babies require 2 word a page books; there's nothing wrong with it, but as a parent, I think it's tough to read those things often. I read Peter Pan and other things in between the shortened version of Goodnight Moon because I just couldn't read the same stuff all of the time).

But, the actual Llama Llama books are worthwhile, the hardcover books like this one. My son loves the Netflix show and the "stories to match the show".

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Message learned: Dads are a lot of fun.

This was just a sweet book. Nothing too earth shattering here, but a sweet father-daughter story about building a cardboard house for little Nelly Gnu.

It was told in rhyme, which always makes for a more fun to read aloud book. Do dads have something about buying little flashlights near the checkout counters? We've acquired quite a few for our kiddos over time.

[Paperback Accomplice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nelly Gnu and Daddy Too make my heart sing as it showcases the beautiful relationship between a little girl and her Dad. Together Nelly and Daddy gather supplies to build and decorate an adorable fort. From building and creativity to flying in Dad's arms, this book captures how awesome Dads are.

Nelly Gnu is one of my favorite books to gift to the smallest of readers because it is an enjoyable read for adults that kids will enjoy for many years.

[Cheyenne Fisher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just like the Llama Llama series, this series of books help support and expose children to rhyming and can be good for shared reading to teach concepts of print. You can easily connect this book to the child's life and make connections. This is also a good book because it shows a dad as the leading role with his child.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun book about all the adventures nelly Gnu and her father have together. I loved that it was dad making dinner and putting Nelly to bed. Lots of heartwarming (if a bit too sweet) scenes of them spending time together. It could definitely spark discussion on what the kids like to do with their own dads and what to do if you get separated from your parents when you're out and about.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this sweet story many, many time to the kiddos over the years! We met Anne Dewdney in 2014 at a signing at Avid Bookshop and I told her I wanted to give the book to my husband for Father's Day. She autographed it, wrote "Happy Father's Day Michael" and drew a little llama on it. It is one of our most cherished books.

[Beth Huddleston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is especially good if Daddy is any kind of builder, wood worker, or tool man.

Nelly Gnu and Daddy are building a playhouse, and they must go to the hardware store. Like many of Anna Dewdney's books, there is a common moment of anxiety. In this case, she was separated from her Daddy at the store,but everything turned out fine.

As my husband said of this book, "heartwarming and cute."

[Lynnette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this one's even better than the llama llama ones. Really cute story, the rhyming meter is super tight, the pictures are engaging and also from unique angles which makes it fun to read from an adult's perspective as well. On top of that, my toddler adores this book. He likes it more than the llama llama ones too!

[DeA · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very cute and fun book to read to the children today. The illustrations are clear and easy for small children to follow the story by. The colors and rhyme tie well together making this a must read around Father's Day. Recommend to dads and young children.

[Olivia S · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay. Not nearly as great as Llama llama, but cute. Dad cooks dinner, despite the fact that there's a mom in the picture (literally), which I like. Might be useful for a cardboard box construction creativity type storytime.

[Abby Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series! This book by Anna Dewdney is a great change up from her typical llama llama and mama because it talks about the father relationship. This is a great book and series to have in your classroom when discussing rhyming.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was looking for picture books from the library with positive father figures for Father’s Day. This book was a perfect fit. It is a simple rhyming book about Nelly and her father, Daddy Gnu, building a little house together. Not life changing but very heartwarming.

[Lydia Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about a day with Daddy (who has no flaws in her eyes). Not exactly realistic, doesn't really have a lesson other than Daddy is the bomb, but still a nice story to illustrate a positive relationship between a father and child.

[Baby Eleanor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a favorite, but it's nice to have a male parent figure in the llama llama universe!

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The literary world lost something special when Anna Dewdney died. She just...gets it. This tender and entertaining story about a little girl and her dad will melt your heart...it sure did mine!

[Joey Gremillion · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have a wee beastie, put this on your reading list for Father's Day. The illustrations are awesome and so is the story.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet book about playtime with Dad!

[Patience Temple · Rating 5 out of 5]

llama llama book but with dad
dad has the main parent role
full of rhyming words

[Jolie Wariner · Rating 5 out of 5]

- Good for rhyming
- Relationships
- Books about dads maybe single family with dads