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My Dad is a Clown / Mi papá es un payaso
The other day at school, a classmate got angry at me and said, "Clown!"
I thanked him and gave him a kiss.
He didn't understand but we became friends again."
"What do you want to be when you grow up" is a question that fascinates kids and this book explores two occupations -- healing the soul (clown) and healing the body (doctor). Plus there's a need for books showing families of all types so children can see themselves and their families represented in books.
José Carlos Andrés is a famous author in Spain. He is a professional clown and children's theater actor. Natalia Hernandez has illustrated several picture books in Spain. Her unique style is reminiscent of vintage-style art.
I thanked him and gave him a kiss.
He didn't understand but we became friends again."
"What do you want to be when you grow up" is a question that fascinates kids and this book explores two occupations -- healing the soul (clown) and healing the body (doctor). Plus there's a need for books showing families of all types so children can see themselves and their families represented in books.
José Carlos Andrés is a famous author in Spain. He is a professional clown and children's theater actor. Natalia Hernandez has illustrated several picture books in Spain. Her unique style is reminiscent of vintage-style art.
- GenresPicture BooksLGBTFamily
40 pages, Hardcover
Published February 14, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 31, 2026
Grateful to this book for expanding my understanding and helping me think about occupations in a new way.
June 16, 2020
This post originally appeared at Mr. Alex's Bookshelf:
https://mralexbookshelf.com/2020/06/1...
The other day at school, a classmate got angry at me and said ‘Clown!’ So begins our story and our entry into this black, white, grey and red world created by Andrés and Hernández, where a boy walks us through a few moments in his life and the impact his two dads have had on it.
The question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” is routinely asked of children; starting from the moment they can string sentences together; perhaps because grownups want to fill the void of awkward silence with something. A fireman, a toll collector (do we still have those?), a teacher are among the most popular (at least they used to be when I was a kid) answers. Nowadays my child’s answer is something with “lasers.” As parents, oftentimes we forget the huge impact we can have on our children’s choices. This story helps us remember; and helps us explain it to our kids.
Unperturbed by his classmate’s attempt at name calling, the boy kisses him on the cheek and continues on his day. You see, one of the boy’s Dads, is a clown; and the boy knows the job is very important because his Dad has the ability to make people laugh. If the story were to end there, it would be mission accomplished. As an important lesson is taught in a friendly accessible way. But, there is more. Much more.
His other Dad, a doctor, says that between both Dads they have two of the most important jobs: "one heals bodies; the other souls."
So, it seems that this very fortunate child is being raised by parents that are exposing him to science and to art. In fact, the bulk of the book dedicates itself to an adventure where we follow Doctor Dad and the child on a mission to see what Clown Dad does on a typical day. In the end, when the child reflects on what he’ll be when he grows up, he still decides on medicine; albeit with a twist–that I will not reveal. Needless to say, he will also be curing souls.
The story is laudable for the casual way in which it treats same sex parents (these could have been any parents, they just happen to be two dads). And, for clear, breezy way in which parental influence is developed through the narrative. It is an easy, short, fun read and provides much needed diversity to the genre.
https://mralexbookshelf.com/2020/06/1...
The other day at school, a classmate got angry at me and said ‘Clown!’ So begins our story and our entry into this black, white, grey and red world created by Andrés and Hernández, where a boy walks us through a few moments in his life and the impact his two dads have had on it.
The question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” is routinely asked of children; starting from the moment they can string sentences together; perhaps because grownups want to fill the void of awkward silence with something. A fireman, a toll collector (do we still have those?), a teacher are among the most popular (at least they used to be when I was a kid) answers. Nowadays my child’s answer is something with “lasers.” As parents, oftentimes we forget the huge impact we can have on our children’s choices. This story helps us remember; and helps us explain it to our kids.
Unperturbed by his classmate’s attempt at name calling, the boy kisses him on the cheek and continues on his day. You see, one of the boy’s Dads, is a clown; and the boy knows the job is very important because his Dad has the ability to make people laugh. If the story were to end there, it would be mission accomplished. As an important lesson is taught in a friendly accessible way. But, there is more. Much more.
His other Dad, a doctor, says that between both Dads they have two of the most important jobs: "one heals bodies; the other souls."
So, it seems that this very fortunate child is being raised by parents that are exposing him to science and to art. In fact, the bulk of the book dedicates itself to an adventure where we follow Doctor Dad and the child on a mission to see what Clown Dad does on a typical day. In the end, when the child reflects on what he’ll be when he grows up, he still decides on medicine; albeit with a twist–that I will not reveal. Needless to say, he will also be curing souls.
The story is laudable for the casual way in which it treats same sex parents (these could have been any parents, they just happen to be two dads). And, for clear, breezy way in which parental influence is developed through the narrative. It is an easy, short, fun read and provides much needed diversity to the genre.
March 24, 2017
Clowns sometimes get a bad rap, portrayed as frightening or creepy. But in My Dad is a Clown, a picture book by José Carlos Andrés, young readers get an idea of what it means to be a clown. The story is told by a young boy. Here’s how it begins:
“The other day at school, a classmate got angry at me and said, ‘Clown!’
I thanked him and gave him a kiss. He didn’t understand, but we became friends again.
My dad is a clown and I am very proud of him and his job, which is one of the most important jobs. Imagine how important it is. He makes people laugh.”
The boy has another dad named Pascual, who is a doctor. Pascual says the two men have two of the most important professions. One heals the body and the other heals the soul. But My Dad is a Clown also shows how much work it takes to be funny and make people laugh. It’s a tender look at a job most people give little thought to.
Quirky illustrations by Natalia Hernández are in black, white, and red. The story is also told in Spanish, making this book great for readers learning either English or Spanish.
The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
“The other day at school, a classmate got angry at me and said, ‘Clown!’
I thanked him and gave him a kiss. He didn’t understand, but we became friends again.
My dad is a clown and I am very proud of him and his job, which is one of the most important jobs. Imagine how important it is. He makes people laugh.”
The boy has another dad named Pascual, who is a doctor. Pascual says the two men have two of the most important professions. One heals the body and the other heals the soul. But My Dad is a Clown also shows how much work it takes to be funny and make people laugh. It’s a tender look at a job most people give little thought to.
Quirky illustrations by Natalia Hernández are in black, white, and red. The story is also told in Spanish, making this book great for readers learning either English or Spanish.
The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
August 1, 2017
This sweet, simple story is about a little boy who has two dads; one is a doctor and the other is a clown. It recognizes that both are legitimate jobs: one heals the body, the other the soul.
January 12, 2023
Si quieres enseñarle a tu hijo/ niño lo que es valorar a su familia este es tu libro
September 6, 2025
Good queer representation and also good clown representation.
December 16, 2025
Confirmado autor fav ♡! También es autor de este maravilloso libro. Ame 🥲❤ José Carlos Andres. Nunca más olvido tu nombre. Me lei varios cuentos tuyos sin saberlo. Ire por los otros...
February 4, 2017
Art was pretty bad, investigate previous publication?, publishing in 2017
July 27, 2019
Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews