What do you think?
Rate this book
Dave's Cave
Dave loves his cave. Inside is decorated EXACTLY the way he likes it. Outside there is a lovely spot for a fire and the grass is always lovely and green. But, Dave is unhappy. What if there might be an even better cave out there? And off he sets in search of a new home. But it turns out that good caves are hard to find. They're either too small, or too big, or too full of bats, until he finds one that looks MUCH more promising. Outside has the perfect space for a fire and the grass is greener than any he's ever seen ...But why does it look so familiar?
32 pages, Paperback
Published April 7, 2016
1 person is currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Frann Preston-Gannon
49 books31 followersFrann Preston-Gannon is the author-illustrator of several books for children. She was the first U.K. recipient of a Sendak Fellowship, and her first picture book, The Journey Home, was nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal. She is one-fifth of the design group Zombie Collective, which specializes in workshops and pop-up galleries. She lives in London.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
May 31, 2016
Anna like book. This book perfect.
January 20, 2018
Dave has a cave. It's nice. But maybe there's a better cave ... Dave succumbs to thinking the grass is greener in another cave but sabre tooth tigers do not make good cave sharers. Nice pictures. Not quite as good as I Am Bat (still my favourite picture book) but pretty good. Good for people called Dave.
April 11, 2026
11/4/2026
Wild luisterboek, verteld door Roos. Goed geremixt door dj-Fien.
10/10 experience
12/10/2025
Harrie’s hol perfect. Andrea tevree.
Wild luisterboek, verteld door Roos. Goed geremixt door dj-Fien.
10/10 experience
12/10/2025
Harrie’s hol perfect. Andrea tevree.
January 25, 2024
Bandit’s VA read it on Play School Storytime
October 4, 2017
The text is written how we believe a caveman would speak. Simple and fun book. Good for children to point out the missing words.
December 14, 2017
Dave the caveman discovers the timeless truths that the grass is not always greener and there's no place like home.
August 29, 2017
I can see what the author intended for this book but due to the font size and simplicity of the text, I am assuming that this book is geared toward early/emergent readers. With that said, the grammar is all wrong, and I know it is because of the character being a caveman but that's not a good idea for early readers. Fix up the grammar and I'd read this aloud to 2-3 y/o.
May 30, 2016
Simple, silly, cute pictures and a funny ending. My boys enjoyed this book before bed.
January 28, 2018
Preston- Gannon, Frann Dave’s Cave. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2018. $15.99. Content: G.
Dave loves his cave. But… maybe there is something a little better with greener grass and bigger rocks. Dave goes on a hunt for a new cave. Each possibility has something wrong with it. The new caves are either too noisy, not cozy, or have pets that don’t like Dave. The more he hunts for a new home, the less successful he is. Finally Dave finds the PERFECT cave!
Children will thrill to realize that it’s the first cave Dave lived in. This could be a great springboard for discussion about being content with what we have. The story is told in caveman-type language. “Dave like cave. This cave perfect.” The illustrations are unique and fun. Children will love this great book.
Pre-K. EL (K-3). ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: SL.
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
Dave loves his cave. But… maybe there is something a little better with greener grass and bigger rocks. Dave goes on a hunt for a new cave. Each possibility has something wrong with it. The new caves are either too noisy, not cozy, or have pets that don’t like Dave. The more he hunts for a new home, the less successful he is. Finally Dave finds the PERFECT cave!
Children will thrill to realize that it’s the first cave Dave lived in. This could be a great springboard for discussion about being content with what we have. The story is told in caveman-type language. “Dave like cave. This cave perfect.” The illustrations are unique and fun. Children will love this great book.
Pre-K. EL (K-3). ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: SL.
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
March 16, 2020
This book is very funny and after reading it with some children I can tell you they love it! We loved the rhyming title, we loved the cave man 'speak', and no one had any trouble understanding any of this! We loved the pictures of Dave, our stocky, hairy and troubled cave man. Dave isn't happy with his cave, despite the 'home, sweet home' banner, cave art and friends, so, he sets off to find a better cave. If you pay attention to the end page and read the T. S. Eliot quote, then you know what Dave is going to do.... search and search to find there is no better home and one day he discovers a new cave that rather resembles his home, sweet home, and there he decides to stay. (Watch out, the children I read this to then spoke cave man style …. for much of the day...!)
September 1, 2020
Dave is a caveman who lives in a cave with nice green grass and big comfy rocks. At first he thinks his home is perfect, but then he starts to wonder: what if there's a better cave out there with greener grass and bigger rocks? Dave sets out in search of a new home, only to discover what he already had might be just right for him after all.
This is a cute, if predictable story about appreciating what you have. It's made extra fun by the caveman speech in the narration ("This Dave. This Dave's cave."). This would be a hilarious book to read aloud, especially if you can do a good caveman voice. :) However, kids trying to read this on their own may stumble over the missing words.
I do like how the author lets the illustrations tell the story in places rather than relying solely on the text. For instance, on one page the text reads, "But first cave not quite right," paired with a picture of Dave squeezed into a cave that's much too small for him. This creates great opportunities for kids to make inferences about what they see in the illustrations. The illustrations themselves, although created digitally, give the impression of mixed media art with lots of varied textures to add visual interest. The picture book's large size makes it a good choice for storytime crowds as well. Overall, a cute twist on a predictable story, probably best for a confident reader or read aloud by an adult.
This is a cute, if predictable story about appreciating what you have. It's made extra fun by the caveman speech in the narration ("This Dave. This Dave's cave."). This would be a hilarious book to read aloud, especially if you can do a good caveman voice. :) However, kids trying to read this on their own may stumble over the missing words.
I do like how the author lets the illustrations tell the story in places rather than relying solely on the text. For instance, on one page the text reads, "But first cave not quite right," paired with a picture of Dave squeezed into a cave that's much too small for him. This creates great opportunities for kids to make inferences about what they see in the illustrations. The illustrations themselves, although created digitally, give the impression of mixed media art with lots of varied textures to add visual interest. The picture book's large size makes it a good choice for storytime crowds as well. Overall, a cute twist on a predictable story, probably best for a confident reader or read aloud by an adult.
January 7, 2019
Age: Toddler-Kindergarten
Emotion: Unhappiness
Dave's home is perfect and his friends like it, too. But he's not happy and he thinks that a new home might fit the bill to cheer him up. In his explorations, every new cave he comes across has something unpleasant about it until he finds the perfect cave: .
Large illustrations with a quick story make this an excellent read-aloud with ample opportunities for supplementary questions asked by the reader. A great way to discuss how people can feel unhappy with their material surroundings but the answer isn't always to abandon them.
Emotion: Unhappiness
Dave's home is perfect and his friends like it, too. But he's not happy and he thinks that a new home might fit the bill to cheer him up. In his explorations, every new cave he comes across has something unpleasant about it until he finds the perfect cave: .
Large illustrations with a quick story make this an excellent read-aloud with ample opportunities for supplementary questions asked by the reader. A great way to discuss how people can feel unhappy with their material surroundings but the answer isn't always to abandon them.
April 10, 2019
Dave's home is perfect and his friends like it, too. But he's not happy and he thinks that a new home might fit the bill to cheer him up. In his explorations, every new cave he comes across has something unpleasant about it until he finds the perfect cave.
Large illustrations with a quick story make this an excellent read-aloud with ample opportunities for supplementary questions asked by the reader. A great way to discuss how people can feel unhappy with their material surroundings but the answer isn't always to abandon them.
Reviewed by: Miss Kelsey, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library
Large illustrations with a quick story make this an excellent read-aloud with ample opportunities for supplementary questions asked by the reader. A great way to discuss how people can feel unhappy with their material surroundings but the answer isn't always to abandon them.
Reviewed by: Miss Kelsey, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library
October 24, 2018
There are a lot of great things about this book, but it would have to be introduced carefully with KS1 children. So I’m confused about how to rate it!
Nice story; good way to introduce morals and what they mean/how they are used in texts. Great idea to ask children to spot the missing words and ask them why Preston-Gannon may have chosen to write in this style. Also neat to ask children about Dave’s journey and final choice of cave - what do they think Dave learnt?? If anything?
Nice story; good way to introduce morals and what they mean/how they are used in texts. Great idea to ask children to spot the missing words and ask them why Preston-Gannon may have chosen to write in this style. Also neat to ask children about Dave’s journey and final choice of cave - what do they think Dave learnt?? If anything?
November 7, 2018
The cover caught my attention (especially as my daugthers' grandfather's name is "Dave" and as our Dave loves his "man cave"), but the illustrative style wasn't enough to make this book a compelling read. In trying to mimic "cave man speech," with missing verbs, the author missed her target audience of developing readers. My four year old had trouble following the first couple of pages, so we ended up adding our own words to further flesh out the story.
May 23, 2018
I like the illustrations and the concept. It’s for a kid who already likes cavemen and thinks they’re funny. I wouldn’t give it to a kid who is struggling to read b/c Dave talks like a caveman, i.e. bad grammar
June 3, 2018
Easy text with few words and in caveman-like grammar. Very few words and easy size of text for beginning readers. The illustrations are fun and like we expect a caveman to look and his surroundings to be. Clean colorful illustrations and easy text. I recommend to early readers and their parents.
January 4, 2019
This one had me smiling. The story is a straightforward rendition of our never-ending pursuit of the greener grass on the other side. And it comes to the obvious conclusion. But it's entertaining and colorful and, I think, a good addition to the collection for the little ones.
April 28, 2019
Absolutely love this book. It’s in caveman speak which the children just get. It begs to be read aloud, with your best caveman voice too! Lots of fabulous visual trails to follow in the illustrations, exploring friendships, being thankful. A book to revisit time and time again.
January 24, 2020
A great coffee table book! And I know it’s supposed to be a children’s book, but seriously, I read a lot of children’s books and this makes for a great one for adults to have on their coffee table, I loved it and found it very sweet and funny with a lovely heartfelt message 💛
June 5, 2017
Also what I call the place my poo comes from.
January 14, 2018
Love the quote at the beginning. Love the message at the end.
Simple and satisfying.
Simple and satisfying.
March 13, 2018
Appreciate what you have, because it is often exactly what you want and need.
April 29, 2018
Great message.
September 24, 2018
Ok, now I have to do a caveman storytime, just so I can read this!
May 30, 2019
Simple, humorous, and sweet. Highly recommended for ages 3-6.
December 30, 2022
I love Dave's Cave. Has a lot to say about the grass not always being greener
April 26, 2023
As a teacher and parent, I appreciate the message conveyed in "Dave's Cave" about contentment and finding happiness in the present moment. It serves as a valuable lesson for young readers to appreciate what they have and not always be in pursuit of something better or new.
The illustrations in the book are captivating and provide visual support to the story, making it engaging for children to follow along. The simple language and relatable character of Dave make it accessible to early readers, while also providing an opportunity for discussion about contentment, gratitude, and the concept of "home."
The story of Dave's adventure to find a better cave can also be used as a starting point for conversations about decision-making, exploring new things, and appreciating the familiar. It encourages children to think critically about what truly makes them happy and the importance of finding joy in the present moment.
As a teacher, I appreciate the subtle yet impactful message that "Dave's Cave" conveys, and how it can serve as a conversation starter for important life lessons. As a parent, I find it to be an enjoyable and meaningful read that encourages my child to appreciate what they have and find contentment in the present.
Overall, I would rate "Dave's Cave" 4 out of 5 stars for its relatable story, engaging illustrations, and valuable message about contentment and gratitude, making it a worthwhile addition to any child's bookshelf.
The illustrations in the book are captivating and provide visual support to the story, making it engaging for children to follow along. The simple language and relatable character of Dave make it accessible to early readers, while also providing an opportunity for discussion about contentment, gratitude, and the concept of "home."
The story of Dave's adventure to find a better cave can also be used as a starting point for conversations about decision-making, exploring new things, and appreciating the familiar. It encourages children to think critically about what truly makes them happy and the importance of finding joy in the present moment.
As a teacher, I appreciate the subtle yet impactful message that "Dave's Cave" conveys, and how it can serve as a conversation starter for important life lessons. As a parent, I find it to be an enjoyable and meaningful read that encourages my child to appreciate what they have and find contentment in the present.
Overall, I would rate "Dave's Cave" 4 out of 5 stars for its relatable story, engaging illustrations, and valuable message about contentment and gratitude, making it a worthwhile addition to any child's bookshelf.
February 2, 2018
Written in short, partial sentences, cave-man speak, this book was made for reading aloud.
Dave is a large-eyed, sweet-faced, animal-skin wearing cave man who enjoys the company of small wildlife and being comfy. Dave has a nice life, painting on cave walls and having fireside marshmallow roasts with friends. Then, one night, Dave lies awake suffering an existential crisis: Is this all there is? Is he missing something? Dave sets out to explore the wider world and look for what might be greener pastures. Some caves are too small, some too big and drafty. Some are just right but inhabited by creatures who have no wish to share. How will it all end?
Preston-Gannon’s digital illustrations are full of color, heart, and humor. They have texture and details that will make savvy older readers giggle.
The T.S. Eliot quote at the front of the tale is a nice touch that may help spark conversation. What is home? What do you need to feel at home? How does leaving affect how you feel and what you think when you return? How do your experiences change your point of view?
Dave is a large-eyed, sweet-faced, animal-skin wearing cave man who enjoys the company of small wildlife and being comfy. Dave has a nice life, painting on cave walls and having fireside marshmallow roasts with friends. Then, one night, Dave lies awake suffering an existential crisis: Is this all there is? Is he missing something? Dave sets out to explore the wider world and look for what might be greener pastures. Some caves are too small, some too big and drafty. Some are just right but inhabited by creatures who have no wish to share. How will it all end?
Preston-Gannon’s digital illustrations are full of color, heart, and humor. They have texture and details that will make savvy older readers giggle.
The T.S. Eliot quote at the front of the tale is a nice touch that may help spark conversation. What is home? What do you need to feel at home? How does leaving affect how you feel and what you think when you return? How do your experiences change your point of view?
April 14, 2018
Dave, a cave man, is happy with his cave but wonders if there is a better one out there. So he puts out his fire and looks, but the other caves are not quite right. Finally, he (and his sidekick squirrel) find the perfect cave – it just happens to be right where they started. Simple writing in caveman speak lets the humor in this funny picture book shine. The digital illustrations look like mixed media and have limited palette that allows characters and details to pop against their duller cave backgrounds. A perfect choice for storytime and a highly recommended purchase for picture book collections.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews