I did smile when I opened the 15th Anniversary Edition of Some Dads by Nick Bland. I remembered reading the first edition with learners in classrooms and enjoying every minute. And that front cover? It made me giggle straight away. You just know you are in for some fun!
The excitement begins on the title page where we meet a very excited monkey. That energy carries right through the story as Nick introduces us to a wonderfully entertaining cast of animal dads.
Nick’s clever use of human traits in his animal characters creates a fun, imaginative world. It also gives young writers a wonderful opportunity to explore big ideas without always needing to write about real people. What might happen if a gorilla, penguin or crocodile became the star of your story?
There is plenty here for young readers too. The rhyming structure invites children to predict what might come next, build fluency and experiment with reading with expression. I can already hear homes and classrooms filled with children joining in!
And the illustrations are superb. Spend some time looking closely at the pictures and hunting for the clues that help us understand each character. Then make connections with your own family. Which animal reminds you of someone you know?
I also love the possibilities for creating with this book. Learners could borrow Nick’s cloud-shaped lettering from the heading and experiment with creating their own eye-catching title. After sharing their favourite page, they could choose their favourite animal, write their own page about a dad and publish the pages together as a class book.
And that ending? It filled me with joy!
Whether you are sharing Some Dads at home or in your classroom, this book invites laughter, conversation, prediction, and creativity.
And if you know a new dad or an experienced dad who deserves a little bookish fun, this will make a perfect gift!
Grab a copy, find someone to read it with and see which dad makes you smile the most!
Title: Some Dads- 15th Anniversary Edition
Author/Illustrator: Nick Bland
Publisher: Scholastic Australia / Scholastic Press
Publication Date: 1st July 2026
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781761723841
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book
