Daddy Lost His Head

by André Bouchard, Quentin Blake (Illustrator)

A modern day fable that's so funny you'll laugh your head off!

What would you do if your daddy lost his head? Make him a new one of course! All you need is some old newspapers, paint and a potato for his nose.

It turns out there are lots of advantages to having a dad with no head: he doesn't shout or snore, he always agrees with you, and he loves doing the vacuuming.

But will Daddy ever find his real head?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

André Bouchard works as a humorous cartoonist for major French news magazines. He has also written and illustrated several successful books for children and has worked with the likes of Quentin Blake.

Reviews

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice and absurd. There are lots of real life everyday events in the book as well as the absolutely absurd which my child quite liked. The cookie cutter perfect worlds are just boring and the kids can't relate. I'd highly recommend it.

[Jennifer B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty funny with the illustrations of the esteemed Quentin Blake.

[Modboy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children may like this because it's an extremely quirky book punctuated by Blake's artistic style. Parents may like it because of the not too subtle message about parents who have checked out because they bring their work home with them. Despite the absurdity it's a warm, inventive story.

I should add that the strangeness is due to the father, actually having lost his head. While it's missing the children construct a paper head for him. It's pretty funny altogether.

[Elfo-oscuro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lo hemos pasado muy bien mi hijo de 5 años y yo sobre las vivencias de un hombre sin cabeza. Es muy gracioso enfocado a niños claro.

[Elif · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daddy Lost his Head is a modern day fable, rather odd but humorous it is bound to cause laughter amongst its readers. The narrative is fun and imaginative. When daddy loses his head, mum and the children search everywhere for it. Having no luck, the children decide to make him a new one with old newspapers, paint and even use a potato for his nose. The full perks of having a dad with a paper head is enjoyed throughout and Dad is even tricked into some generous shopping whilst out with the children. But all good things do come to an end - Dad gets his own head back which had been missed. This book is most suitable at KS1 (ages 5- 7). I would use this book as part of a literacy lesson to inspire children to create and write their own imaginative stories.

[Jason Bootle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this is morning to my children and we were all laughing heartily at this absurd and funny story about a Dad who lost his head. Quentin Blake's illustrations a delightful and the attention the cat gets made us chuckle even more. The Dad's relationship with his kids and his wife make even funnier for adults and it's message was one that particularly resonated with me. Wonderful and highly recommended for everyone.

[Chele · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read - and Mr Blake's illustrations were as fabulous as ever.

[Slow Man · Rating 3 out of 5]

... And I must be out of my mind to buy this. I simply adore Mr Blake's illustrations.

[Leah Townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming and quirky, who doesn't like the idea of a pliable agreeable Dad? Doing all the housework, buying all the toys and not snoring!