Oh my goodness, this book is too adorable! Definitely a feel-good read that will be an instant classic. Funny, cumulative text leaves plenty of room for an entire story to unfold in the fabulous illustrations (which makes for a great conversation about clue finding and inferencing for more advanced readers and listeners). After reading this story, readers will be primed for conversations about bravado, what strength really means, and how impactful kindness can be. Great for classroom SEL lessons or just for a fun read at home!

This was such a fun, cute book! I actually read it twice because I loved it so much. It's designed for young readers around age 4-8 but readers of all ages can appreciate it, as I did. Perfect for any young readers library, child care facility, children's library, or anywhere that families or children may be waiting (such as a doctor or dentist office).

It has diverse, LGBTQ+ representation that I really appreciated and it's fun to read with beautiful illustrations that draw you into the story. This is the perfect book to help queer children feel more represented and to help all children be more accepting of families that may look different from theirs.

I will be recommending this to everyone I know, especially those with young readers at home.

Ein gelungenes Spiel mit Erwartungen und Klischees von Männlichkeit. Zwei namenlose (vermutlich) Jungern steigern sich in einen absurd-witzigen Vergleich hinein wessen Vater der stärkere ist.

Wenn der eine Papa einen Lastwagen heben kann, dann kann der andere einen Lastwagen heben, der mit Elefanten gefüllt ist. Woraufhin das andere Kind erwidert, dass Papa einen Lastwagen gefüllt mit SCHWANGEREN Elefanten heben kann….

Am Ende kommt wie es kommen muss, das wilde Stapel an Dingen kracht in sich zusammen und während sich der eine Papa verletzt, pflegt ihn der andere.

Das mit den LKWs und Elefanten mag zwar übertrieben gewesen sein, aber eines ist sicher (und da sind sich beide Kinder einig): beide Papas lieben einander.

Das Buch arbeitet mit wenig Text und Wiederholungen, die Bilder sind im Vergleich dazu voll gepackt mit kleinen Details und lädt zum Entdecken und Mitlesen ein.

Text: Fran Pintadera
Illustration: Joan Turle
Verlag: Charlesbridge, 2025
👛 digitales Leseexemplar via NetGalley.com (Englische Originalausgbe)

This is a cute, quick, and queer friendly children’s book with a surprising ending. I read it with my children and they thought it was very funny and wanted to read it again.

The only thing I would have liked to see, was a point about not bragging or how it can hurt others.

Thank you to Charlesbridge for the ARC of My Dad Is the Best in return for an honest review!

In this charming little story, two boys continuously try to compete with each about who has the better dad, only to discover that their dads have more in common than they think. I appreciated the vivid illustrations, the sweet and poignant story, and the overall message: inclusivity, love and commonality.

It makes me happy that more children will have these types of stories to relate to and appreciate.

4.5 stars rounded up.

My Dad is the Best is a gorgeous story of two boys competing over whose dad is the greater. The tasks the dads perform quickly become more ridiculous and dangerous before finally, it all goes sideways.

The "surprise" ending is incredibly sweet. As after any story my four year old and I read, we had a discussion about what had happened and what our favourite parts were. I was delighted when she told me the ending was her favourite part.

I loved this book and it is one we will be getting for our physical shelves.

Thank you to NetGalley and Charlesbridge Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

This was such a cute, adorable and instantly lovable book. The illustrations are just so good and it's funny to read it. I can't wait to show my kid. Just as I requested it and saw I got approved, I downloaded and read it. Sadly my kid is sleeping at this late hour or else she would have enjoyed it too.


I'm sure she will become a huge fan just like her mumma did.

Thank you Netgalley and Charlesbridge publishing for this totally adorable book.

This was a cute read that I think would grab any kids attention! Loved the sweet and happy ending :)

Super fun. Super cute. This could be a lovely way to introduce kids to the idea that bragging and comparing can be destructive in the end.

A book about 2 boys battling about who's dad is the best. so many kids think this about their parents and arguing with each other about it.
In the end they realize that both of their dad's are the best and the Dad's are bestfriends too.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc.

To be totally upfront, the ending of this story caught me off guard. I initially assumed it was just about two boys trying to outdo each other in the "best dad" department, and I figured it would wrap up with a friendly draw. While it does have that vibe, it definitely took a turn I didn't see coming.

The plot surprised me in a good way, though! I loved how it unfolded, and it kept me engaged throughout and it made for an entertaining read.

Overall, it's a charming story that brings a smile. This read was light and enjoyable.

Thank you Net Galley and Charlesbridge for allowing me to read and review this book.

Thank you NetGalley, Charlesbridge, and Fran Pintadera for the early access copy of My Dad is the Best.

My Dad is the Best tells the story of two boys who compare their Dads through a series of silly and outrageous comparisons. This is a queer-positive story with a surprise ending that demonstrates that all families are their own.

This will be a fun read aloud for young readers.

A short but very cute story about two boys who fight over which dad is stronger. With a wonderful happy ending ;)

What a cute book! My daughter loved reading this one with me and seeing the amazing illustrations. I think this is a beauty way to shoe kids that all parents are amazing

This is a sweet, queer-positive book with adorable illustrations. I'm going to buy a copy for my nephew's son, who is being raised by two loving fathers and will enjoy this book once he learns how to read!

Absolutely precious! I loved the colorful illustrations and heartwarming story <3
We need more LGBTQ representation in the children's picture book space.

A very cute and silly book showing two boys competing for who has the best dad. They keep trying to outdo each other until a very funny thing happens. When it does there are even more surprises. Great ending,
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

This is a lovely warm book to read in these chilly days. I appreciate that while the text is more focused on the dialogue between two little boys, pictures show a bigger story with dads getting their characters fully shining through. I like that this book takes such a boyish topic like "whose dad is stronger" and integrates with it many different forms of strengths beyond just the physical one. Illustrations are absolutely beautiful too, I took good 10 minutes looking at pictures and colours while reading the book. Fully recommended for everyone who needs a little bit of a gay joy in their days.

In the early pages of this book, I knew I wanted to carry it in my store. By the end, it had become a new favorite! Two young boys are having a game of one upmanship about how strong their dads are: mine can lift a truck, MINE can balance on a skyscraper, etc. The claims and pictures get more and more outlandish until one of the dads can't keep up, tumbling to the ground a little banged up. In the next few pages, we see how the other dad takes care of his cut, brings him soup, etc... until the readers and the little boys realize that the dads are actually falling for each other. It's just an adorable, big hearted book, and I love how matter of fact the book is about two big, strong, some would say macho men (based on how the boys view them) falling in love.

This is a cute picture book with an unexpected punch line. The situation is real, i.e. boys boasting about their father's superhuman skills. But no one would have imagined things could escalate into THIS!
The illustrations and the text are a brilliant match.