What do you think?
Rate this book
Cave Dada
A hilarious book for new dads and their little loved ones to share and enjoy!
It's bedtime for Dada's little cave baby. But Baba wants a bedtime story, and not just from any book. Baba wants just the right book—and the right book means the biggest book! Poor Dada! The delaying tactics of his Stone Age darling may not speed up bedtime ... but they just might change the course of human history.
• Full of parenting moments that new or expecting dads will love
• Sweet, silly, and boldly illustrated—ideal read-aloud book to share with the family
• Perfect Father's Day gift
Fans of Your Baby's First Word Will Be Dada, Because I'm Your Dad, and Dad By My Side will love Cave Dada's positive, loving message.
• Books for new dads
• Books for kids ages 3–5
• New dads book, daddy book
Brandon Reese is the illustrator of numerous books for children. His own adventures in fatherhood provided ample inspiration for this book. He lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.
It's bedtime for Dada's little cave baby. But Baba wants a bedtime story, and not just from any book. Baba wants just the right book—and the right book means the biggest book! Poor Dada! The delaying tactics of his Stone Age darling may not speed up bedtime ... but they just might change the course of human history.
• Full of parenting moments that new or expecting dads will love
• Sweet, silly, and boldly illustrated—ideal read-aloud book to share with the family
• Perfect Father's Day gift
Fans of Your Baby's First Word Will Be Dada, Because I'm Your Dad, and Dad By My Side will love Cave Dada's positive, loving message.
• Books for new dads
• Books for kids ages 3–5
• New dads book, daddy book
Brandon Reese is the illustrator of numerous books for children. His own adventures in fatherhood provided ample inspiration for this book. He lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published March 31, 2020
2 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
November 27, 2020
Picture-book-for-parents alert!
Okay, so bedtime is an eternal struggle. But toddlers aren't going to get it. While this isn't as bad as, say, Mama Needs a Minute , it's still annoyingly geared to parents. Basically, there's a fussy cave baby who demands (in broken English... ugh) that his father read him a story. Nothing else will do. So the dad brings increasingly larger books; they're all written on stone, and some of those books tend to be rather heavy. While dragging one across the floor, a resulting spark starts a fire. The cave is cozy. The kid falls asleep without his story. And everyone is happy.
This is appropriate for new dads... and that's about it.
Okay, so bedtime is an eternal struggle. But toddlers aren't going to get it. While this isn't as bad as, say, Mama Needs a Minute , it's still annoyingly geared to parents. Basically, there's a fussy cave baby who demands (in broken English... ugh) that his father read him a story. Nothing else will do. So the dad brings increasingly larger books; they're all written on stone, and some of those books tend to be rather heavy. While dragging one across the floor, a resulting spark starts a fire. The cave is cozy. The kid falls asleep without his story. And everyone is happy.
This is appropriate for new dads... and that's about it.
April 20, 2020
In only a few words, this darling picture book reveals that bedtime woes stem all the way back to the Stone Age when little ones tried every trick in the book to extend the routine. Cava Dada's baby doesn't want a rattle, or blanky, or a rock-a-baba. But he does want a 2-ton bedtime story. And one of the funniest parts of the story is when Cave Dada is exhausted and finally says: "Dada feel cry too"! LOL The back matter tells us that Brandon Reese used his own experiences as inspiration for this story. The illustrations were rendered in colored pencil, gouache, and Adobe Photoshop.
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
March 14, 2020
Illustrations, created with colored pencils, gouache, and Adobe Photoshop take readers back to the Stone Age while taking some liberties with history and writing. It's time for bed, and one tired father is exhausted from a day spent hunting and gathering. But the little one who's been drawing on the cave walls refuses to be put down for the night without hearing a bedtime story. Although the father tries to distract his child with toys, nothing works, and he reluctantly adheres to his child's wishes. But no, the little one doesn't want the book he returns with but another one. Readers will smile at the father's willingness to go to any lengths to get that baby to stop crying, even hauling a huge stone slab with some help from his mammoth. The last pages in the book show the tenderness this cave father has for his offspring. New parents will be amused by the plot, but they will also be able to relate to trying to find just that right book to share with a child at the end of a long, hard day when reading is the last thing on their minds and they're eagerly anticipating relaxing. I was pleased that the images featured a father and not a mother since it's important that youngsters see males as well as females as readers.
June 4, 2020
CAVE DADA portrays larger-than-life characters in funny illustrations and minimal text in a book that kids and parents will love. To quote from Beauty and the Beast, this is a "story that is as old as time." This bedtime story will delight everyone.
Although Dada is tired from his day of hunting and gathering, Baba is not. He demands to be read to.
But Baba is quite firm. He needs a book. And not ANY book. It has to be a BIG book.
Not even Dada's discovery of fire makes Baba happy.
So, Dada goes on a hunt for a book SO BIG that he needs the help of a wooly mammoth to bring it back.
But what does Dada find when he returns?
Baba has fallen asleep.
Or has he?
I'm giving away a copy on my blog. Giveaway ends at 6 PM On June 5, 2020
Although Dada is tired from his day of hunting and gathering, Baba is not. He demands to be read to.
But Baba is quite firm. He needs a book. And not ANY book. It has to be a BIG book.
Not even Dada's discovery of fire makes Baba happy.
So, Dada goes on a hunt for a book SO BIG that he needs the help of a wooly mammoth to bring it back.
But what does Dada find when he returns?
Baba has fallen asleep.
Or has he?
I'm giving away a copy on my blog. Giveaway ends at 6 PM On June 5, 2020
April 1, 2021
I really enjoyed the art in this book. However, as a librarian and a person who works extensively to teach children language concepts and skills, this book is a giant failure.
Incorrect grammar and language, even in a picture book has a negative effect on learning.
I am not sure for whom this book is intended. I would not recommend it for children learning to read, nor would I for parents/caregivers to read aloud.
Incorrect grammar and language, even in a picture book has a negative effect on learning.
I am not sure for whom this book is intended. I would not recommend it for children learning to read, nor would I for parents/caregivers to read aloud.
March 28, 2020
With tons of Stone Age humor, this book proves that being a Dada isn't easy, even for big, strong, caveman dads.
It's baby's bedtime, and Dada is more than happy to add in a last bedme read for the bundle of cuteness. Baba, the baby, has a certain book in mind—the big book. But it isn't clear to Dada exactly which big book Baba means.
This is a cliche dive into the caveman world...and it's so cute! Dada is Mr. Caveman pure with his furry garment, kept on with a simple bone. Young listeners will get a kick out of the baby's innocent...and yet, irritating demands for a read, especially since the entire dialogue is in pure, silly, caveman style. Add the stone tablets (because who had paper) and a mammoth, and it's such a fun, humorous read.
The illustrations make this book and bring across the caveman style similar to many scenes observed in cartoons. The illustrations guide the tale much more than the text, so it's easy to follow the plot just by flipping through the pages (a plus, for those who like to explore books on their own). The text sticks in dialogue, and that with pure, rough, caveman style. Which makes it a bit quirky too. Dads will definitely get the bigger enjoyment, but young listeners will smile too.
I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed it with my kids.
It's baby's bedtime, and Dada is more than happy to add in a last bedme read for the bundle of cuteness. Baba, the baby, has a certain book in mind—the big book. But it isn't clear to Dada exactly which big book Baba means.
This is a cliche dive into the caveman world...and it's so cute! Dada is Mr. Caveman pure with his furry garment, kept on with a simple bone. Young listeners will get a kick out of the baby's innocent...and yet, irritating demands for a read, especially since the entire dialogue is in pure, silly, caveman style. Add the stone tablets (because who had paper) and a mammoth, and it's such a fun, humorous read.
The illustrations make this book and bring across the caveman style similar to many scenes observed in cartoons. The illustrations guide the tale much more than the text, so it's easy to follow the plot just by flipping through the pages (a plus, for those who like to explore books on their own). The text sticks in dialogue, and that with pure, rough, caveman style. Which makes it a bit quirky too. Dads will definitely get the bigger enjoyment, but young listeners will smile too.
I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed it with my kids.
March 13, 2020
There are lots of books about the process of reading books to their kids at bedtime. This one ends with a charming, but not unexpected, twist at the end.
(Caveman) Dada has returned home tired after a long day of hunting and gathering, but Baba wants Dada to read him a book. When Dada turns down the boy, he pitches a full-on fit - wailing and crying - until Dada succumbs and finally pulls out the particular book the child wants. Much of the story is told in crude cave-man like grunts and stripped down conversation between the father and son. The rest is told in Reese's illustrations. Rendered in colored pencil, gouache, and Adobe Photoshop, they have a rough, primitive darkness about them, and are printed on a creamy pale yellow paper. No other people appear, only the family's mastadon, who is used in the story as a beast of burden, curling up beside the father and son at the end just like a cuddly little pet. Don't miss looking at the cover of the book (under the jacket)!
Be sure to include this little gem in a unit on families.
(Caveman) Dada has returned home tired after a long day of hunting and gathering, but Baba wants Dada to read him a book. When Dada turns down the boy, he pitches a full-on fit - wailing and crying - until Dada succumbs and finally pulls out the particular book the child wants. Much of the story is told in crude cave-man like grunts and stripped down conversation between the father and son. The rest is told in Reese's illustrations. Rendered in colored pencil, gouache, and Adobe Photoshop, they have a rough, primitive darkness about them, and are printed on a creamy pale yellow paper. No other people appear, only the family's mastadon, who is used in the story as a beast of burden, curling up beside the father and son at the end just like a cuddly little pet. Don't miss looking at the cover of the book (under the jacket)!
Be sure to include this little gem in a unit on families.
July 18, 2020
*sigh* Trying to get a baby to go to sleep can feel like such a chordeal (you know, having to do your chores+an ordeal). You try EVERYTHING and nothing works. I relate to this book. It was cute, but not particularly anything new.
Cute setting (caveman era done cute), with cute characters (cute DaDa and cute Baba.... Okay, y'all, where was MaMa?), and cute premise of trying to get the baby to sleep (by dragging out progressively big and bigger stone tablet books, so cute). And then the baby falls asleep before the daddy can finally read to him so the daddy falls asleep too. Or wait, did he really fall asleep? Awww. So cute!
Okay, I give up. It was a surfeit of cuteness but nothing really beyond that. It's been done before. It's not bad. It's not great. It's just cute.
Cute setting (caveman era done cute), with cute characters (cute DaDa and cute Baba.... Okay, y'all, where was MaMa?), and cute premise of trying to get the baby to sleep (by dragging out progressively big and bigger stone tablet books, so cute). And then the baby falls asleep before the daddy can finally read to him so the daddy falls asleep too. Or wait, did he really fall asleep? Awww. So cute!
Okay, I give up. It was a surfeit of cuteness but nothing really beyond that. It's been done before. It's not bad. It's not great. It's just cute.
June 18, 2020
A picture book with graphic novel speech bubbles and panels. Cave Baba (baby) does not want to go to sleep -- even with his mammoth stuffy. "Dada Read Book!" And not just any book. Will Cave Dada be able to convince Baba to go to sleep? What for many is a typical bed-time routine in a not so typical setting with a bonus discussion of big, bigger, biggest!
July 15, 2020
A cute, funny, short story for dad and babe. Would be very good for a man in the moon program or a babytime with lots of dads present, and especially great for a dad to read with their baby or toddler before bed.
September 29, 2020
A very clever, fun, sweet, and unique picture book about a caveman father trying to get his baby to sleep. Books carved in stone! Woolly mammoths! the accidental invention of fire! All in the universal theme of bedtime. Loved it!!
February 3, 2021
Review by my 7-year-old daughter: "I love this story. It was very cool. It can be for all ages. I know that toddlers wouldn't understand it, but I loved it. It was very funny that Cave Dada just kept getting different books and the big book was so funny."
April 29, 2021
When a cave dad’s baby wants to be read to before bed, Dada must go through many ordeals to figure out exactly what Baba wants. This book perfectly captures the love and frustration a new dad experiences, with humor mixed in. Great for new dads, or dads with kiddos in the baby stage.
July 13, 2021
CAVE DADA is not only a fabulous read-aloud, it's a fantastic look-along. The story, the illustrations, down to the lettering/speech bubbles, all come together to make the perfect pre-historic bedtime story. Funny and totally relatable!
March 19, 2020
Cute and authentic! Where’s MaMa?
April 10, 2020
Great book! The kids thought it was very funny. Afterwards they pretended to be Baba and requested a big book.
May 8, 2020
Cute and silly
June 27, 2020
Well, Deklan liked it :)
July 9, 2020
This book is adorable and amazing. It is fun to read and try to talk like a caveman with your kids, and shows a positive father figure. So cute!
Read
July 29, 2020fun caveman rendition
of bedtime
of bedtime
September 1, 2020
Essentially an extended gag strip done effectively with fun art.
November 1, 2020
Might be good in storytime
June 25, 2022
6/25/2022 ~ A picture book for parents, not kids. The best part was dad and baby sleeping together at the end of the book.
May 10, 2024
Cute, but it didn't move the earth...or even a ginormous stone story book...for me. The book is really all about the funny language and the too-sweet ending, but I do like to see a daddy/kid story.
May 14, 2024
Not a great book author must be very simple
December 12, 2024
This is a very cute story about a caveman trying to get his baby to sleep while the baby keeps demanding a story.
June 17, 2025
This book is hilarious! Super fun to read aloud. Both kids and parents will relate. Great illustrations.
May 22, 2021
I’m in love with this clever and hilarious prehistoric parenting book! My son and I could not stop laughing! This poor exhausted Caveman Dad trying to get his kid to sleep is so relatable to every parent who is desperate for lights out. I’ll definitely be giving this as a gift along with Cave Dada Picky Eater.
Four Stars!!!!
Four Stars!!!!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews