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Papa, Do You Love Me?
This follow-up to the best-selling Mama, Do You Love Me? (over one million copies sold in 15 languages!) captures the universal love between a father and child. Set in Africa and featuring the Maasai culture, the beautiful watercolor illustrations, lyrical text, and enduring message are sure to make this another instant classic.
36 pages, Hardcover
First published April 21, 2005
5 people are currently reading
315 people want to read
About the author
Barbara M. Joosse
67 books48 followers[Author also goes by the name Barbara Joosse.]
Barbara M. Joosse has written many books for children. Among them are Mama, Do You Love Me?, illustrated by Barbara Lavallee; and I Love You the Purplest, illustrated by Mary Whyte. She says, "When I was a little girl, I wished for two things — a best friend, and something so ferocious it would scare away the monsters under my bed. And so I have written Lovabye Dragon. I think maybe it’s for little me." Barbara Josse lives in Wisconsin.
Barbara M. Joosse has written many books for children. Among them are Mama, Do You Love Me?, illustrated by Barbara Lavallee; and I Love You the Purplest, illustrated by Mary Whyte. She says, "When I was a little girl, I wished for two things — a best friend, and something so ferocious it would scare away the monsters under my bed. And so I have written Lovabye Dragon. I think maybe it’s for little me." Barbara Josse lives in Wisconsin.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
September 1, 2012
A moving and poignant story about a fathers love for his son. A wonderful message of unconditional love.
The story begins with the sentence 'Papa do you love me?' and it is from this point that the child tests his fathers love through numerous 'what ifs' and imagined ordeals "what if I fell asleep and the hyenas killed my birthright cow?". But the father remains truthful and tender. With each answer we are reassured of his deep love for his son.
The story illuminates with the backdrop of Africa depicting the richness of the Maasai culture. whilst younger children may not understand the meaning of the book and the culture the book uses Maasai terms which children will find fascinating and will spark imagination.
The book is beautifully illustrated with vibrant playful language. It is a great resource for learning with a fantastic glossary at the back. Whether it is read aloud during storytime or read alone, this would make a great introduction to the topic of African culture and celebrating multiculturalism.
The story begins with the sentence 'Papa do you love me?' and it is from this point that the child tests his fathers love through numerous 'what ifs' and imagined ordeals "what if I fell asleep and the hyenas killed my birthright cow?". But the father remains truthful and tender. With each answer we are reassured of his deep love for his son.
The story illuminates with the backdrop of Africa depicting the richness of the Maasai culture. whilst younger children may not understand the meaning of the book and the culture the book uses Maasai terms which children will find fascinating and will spark imagination.
The book is beautifully illustrated with vibrant playful language. It is a great resource for learning with a fantastic glossary at the back. Whether it is read aloud during storytime or read alone, this would make a great introduction to the topic of African culture and celebrating multiculturalism.
July 1, 2009
Not *quite* as good as "Mama, Do You Love Me?" but still a worthy title. Nice to see the father-son bond highlighted and also the focus on the Maasai culture is fascinating. Still recommended.
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April 18, 2021This is a "Daddy loves his child" book, set in Africa and featuring the Maasai culture.
The author is an American writer from Wisconsin and her knowledge of the Maasai and Africa is from research. Judging from the comments in the dedication section of this book, she especially relies on the advice of Dorothy Hodgson, an American anthropology professor at Rutgers University who spent 25 years in Tanzania in Africa learning about the Maasai people.
The author is an American writer from Wisconsin and her knowledge of the Maasai and Africa is from research. Judging from the comments in the dedication section of this book, she especially relies on the advice of Dorothy Hodgson, an American anthropology professor at Rutgers University who spent 25 years in Tanzania in Africa learning about the Maasai people.
December 20, 2016
Great story of the unconditional love of a parent towards their child.
I don't think my daughter quite like the book because it wasn't our typical funny read before bed but this is a book that will remain on our bookshelf in hopes that she will read it and pass it along to her children. A great book to have
I don't think my daughter quite like the book because it wasn't our typical funny read before bed but this is a book that will remain on our bookshelf in hopes that she will read it and pass it along to her children. A great book to have
January 1, 2008
If you have a son, get this book and read it to him.
January 26, 2016
Love the cultural context illustrated in each example of how much the father loves the son.
December 3, 2017
Papa, Do You Love Me, written by Barbara Joosse and illustrated Barbara Lavallee, is a sweet tale of father and son love with a unique cultural twist. This book would be most appropriate for kindergarten and first grade, and does not have any kind of awards. The book begins with a father and son out and about in the native homeland, most likely Kenya, roaming around when the child asks his dad if he loves him. He tells him that he loves him more than elders telling stories, and other African related concepts. The child throughout the book repeats questions about how much he loves him, and what kinds of things his dad would do if things such as the hot sun beamed on him and what if he got scared of something. The dad replies that he would shade him from the sun, and wrap himself around him so he would feel safe in his arms. The book ends with the father telling his son why he will always love him and what he means to him.
This is a great book for father and son relationships, especially for those of foreign cultures, so there can be some added sense of relatability. Every child has asked their mom or their dad from time to time how much they love him or her, and I know I did. This book brought back those memories and conversations and drew me into the book a little more. The cultural references to the kid’s questions are an excellent lesson about others and how they live. The glossary in the back is another added benefit of the book and supply’s children with the ability to learn about the glossary and how to better understand the vocabulary of the book. This leads into many possible lessons such as having kids pair up, look for a word in the glossary, look for it in the dictionary, and share with the class what they think it means. A second lesson can be having them research and read other books about African countries and their culture and how it related to theirs.
This is a great book for father and son relationships, especially for those of foreign cultures, so there can be some added sense of relatability. Every child has asked their mom or their dad from time to time how much they love him or her, and I know I did. This book brought back those memories and conversations and drew me into the book a little more. The cultural references to the kid’s questions are an excellent lesson about others and how they live. The glossary in the back is another added benefit of the book and supply’s children with the ability to learn about the glossary and how to better understand the vocabulary of the book. This leads into many possible lessons such as having kids pair up, look for a word in the glossary, look for it in the dictionary, and share with the class what they think it means. A second lesson can be having them research and read other books about African countries and their culture and how it related to theirs.
October 9, 2017
This book explores the relationship of a father and son. The son asks the father many different questions pertaining to the love his father has for him. The father answers these questions using different elements of African culture. While some of these elements are common knowledge to some, others are not. The author includes a glossary in the book explanting the cultural elements, ensuring that the reader is informed.
Family dynamics and culture are major themes in this book.
I thought this book was very sweet and personal. I liked how they included different elements of African culture. This book could be read from a father in the home or from a teacher in the classroom. Both relay the message of how loved and cherished all children are.
I recommend this book because of the message it portrays. Children crave love and attention and this book gives it to them. I also think the book did a great job of incorporating elements of African culture.
Family dynamics and culture are major themes in this book.
I thought this book was very sweet and personal. I liked how they included different elements of African culture. This book could be read from a father in the home or from a teacher in the classroom. Both relay the message of how loved and cherished all children are.
I recommend this book because of the message it portrays. Children crave love and attention and this book gives it to them. I also think the book did a great job of incorporating elements of African culture.
November 21, 2017
This book is about a boy and his father. The boy asks his father many what if questions to see if his father would still love him if he acted that way. The father responds with answers throughout the book saying that nothing could make him not love his son. I loves that this book simple and happy but it found a way to completely immerse its reader into the culture of the boy and his father at the same time. The book talks about serengets rolling to the sky, protecting the cows from the hyenas throughout the night, and more. I would present this book for the purpose of a new culture to students, but it may be a sensitive subject for some. Although it is a great lighthearted book, it does focus mainly on the love a father gives his son which could be difficult for some students to listen to if they have a different situation.
January 7, 2024
Universal questions flow from son to father, complemented by the father's wise answers: This book-length conversation takes on a freshness from its setting in West Africa, and also from the evocative watercolor illustrations.
Here's a sample answer to a question from the young boy, called Tender Heart:
"How long [will you love me]?"
"I'll love you as long as th wildebeest run
on the mara, the hippopotamus wallows in
mud, and the Serenget rolls to the sky.
A glossary at the end includes wonderful information, such as the following:
ELDERS
It is the respnsibility of the male elders to teach Maasai boys how to care for cattle,
track animals,
watch for enemies,
and protect their families.
They often teach by telling stories, especially at night
around hearth fires.
Here's a sample answer to a question from the young boy, called Tender Heart:
"How long [will you love me]?"
"I'll love you as long as th wildebeest run
on the mara, the hippopotamus wallows in
mud, and the Serenget rolls to the sky.
A glossary at the end includes wonderful information, such as the following:
ELDERS
It is the respnsibility of the male elders to teach Maasai boys how to care for cattle,
track animals,
watch for enemies,
and protect their families.
They often teach by telling stories, especially at night
around hearth fires.
July 17, 2024
📌 We read this book the same day we read Mama, Do You Love Me? by the same author. The kids loved the Mama version and when I told them there was a Papa version too, they were immediately excited about it! Just like that Mama version, a Masai boy asks his father, Papa, Do You Love Me? The tender relationship between a father and his child shines through the pages. It clearly highlights that while the father loves the son more than the infinite expanse of the Serengeti, he is also bears the responsibility of teaching him the invaluable skills of survival in the treacherous terrain. This is our second book about the Serengeti, we have recently read We All Went on Safari. And therefore the kids appreciate more about the Masai culture this time. Definitely the kind of book we will read again and again! ❤️
June 17, 2017
The "dad" version of "Mama, Do You love Me?," this one isn't *quite* as good. But it's not bad. Honestly, I probably would have liked it better if I hadn't read the other book first. This is too similar, adding nothing unique, but without the charm of the original. The African setting was pleasing, although I wasn't so sure about the scene where the hyenas kill the cow. It wasn't bad, but I also wasn't sad when it was over. And the ending didn't make me "Awww," so there's that.
June 23, 2018
This book is a melting pot book of sorts where the child is asking simple questions about being loved and how much. The father guides the child through the village explaining where his love comes from, how much and long he loves his son, and in all conditions he might face. Asking his father questions: what do you do if I thirst? If I am hot? Over and over the man explains to Tender Heart that he will always be there for his son through any situation good or bad, because love is endless.
August 5, 2020
The story is a simple do you love me even if I do this or I do this or I do this child/parent story. For me what sets this apart from others in the same trope is the glossary of Maasai concepts. This makes the story richer in my opinion and gives the reader a greater understanding of a culture other than their own.
January 21, 2024
Genre: Contemporary Realistic
Grade: K-2
This is such an amazing book. My favorite part is how much the father loves his son. This is something that all families should have because it reminds families to love each other no matter what. I also really liked all of the illustrations throughout the book.
Grade: K-2
This is such an amazing book. My favorite part is how much the father loves his son. This is something that all families should have because it reminds families to love each other no matter what. I also really liked all of the illustrations throughout the book.
November 13, 2017
A cultural book of a man explaining to his son how much he loves him. It is a nice book, but there are a lot of cultural references that the reader would have to turn to the back of the book in order to explain to the little listener of the book. This drags the book down.
June 13, 2019
Set amidst the Massai culture of Africa, a young boy questions the intensity of his father's love and learns that his father's love for him is unconditional.
A beautiful story that uses poetic language and beautiful watercolors to convey the genuine love fathers have for their children.
A beautiful story that uses poetic language and beautiful watercolors to convey the genuine love fathers have for their children.
January 6, 2021
Such a great picturebook. Much better than some of the other parents-love-their-children books (a lot of them come off as creepy to me), but this one was excellent. A great father-son book and an excellent way to learn about another culture!
March 17, 2023
A nice book of unconditional love. The African representation was a nice addition to the genre. The illustrations were not my favorite, however, and it seemed to lack that certain something to make it a stand-out.
August 22, 2018
8/21/18 Read with Julia.
December 13, 2019
Fun and culturally uplifting.
September 12, 2020
Used for homeschooling
November 7, 2020
A Maasai boy and his father talk and the father assures the son of his love.
January 22, 2021
This book was recommended to me from an Instagram account. Really enjoyed the story and the illustrations. A good introduction to the Maasai people for young readers.
October 7, 2021
Beautiful story.
November 5, 2021
Fun to here my husband read to our son.
December 4, 2021
Not her best book, but I’m still a fan. She is a talented author and I have enjoyed her stories so often with my children.
January 22, 2022
I love how this book illustrates and celebrates the love a father has for his child.
May 21, 2023
What a charming book! The story is great and so are the Barbara Lavallee illustrations.
June 3, 2023
This book was very cute at the read aloud.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews