Pace, energy, superb comic illustrations and the hilariousness of dad going bald.

Julia Marshall, Publisher

When Dad’s Hair Took Off

A fast-paced, comical story for early readers, in which Dad’s hair takes off through the open window to freedom!

One day, Dad’s hair decided it was tired of being brushed and combed. It wanted a life of its own, to see the world. It took off.

Out of the bathroom, into the kitchen, and before you could say, “Hairsta la vista, baby!” it was gone.

Dad gave chase around the town. He spots his hair hiding in the lawn, on the road, at the zoo —it’s amazing how many things look like hair. He gives up.

Dad tries to accept life without hair. Then the postcards arrive. The hair is on a round-the-world trip and Dad is still bald. Until one day the unbelievable happens and the hair comes back.

This is a fast-paced tour-de-force, a wonderfully absurd story packed with wordplay and full colour hilarious illustrations.

When Dad’s Hair Took Off is a comical chapter book for early readers or for any child to enjoy reading aloud with a grownup who relates! A fun book to celebrate and share with Dad on Father’s Day or any day.

Free colouring in activity sheet | Free postcard activity sheet | Read the first chapter


  • Book Details

    Country of Origin Germany
    Reader Age 5-7 year, 6-8 year
    Book Size
    ISBN

  • Reviews

    1. Donovan’s Literary Services

      Delightful.

    2. Evanston Public Library

      Evanston Public Library 101 Great Books for Kids List 2023

    3. School Reading List

      With laugh-out-loud illustrations and memorable wordplay, younger children will request this catchy tale again and again.

    4. Global Literature in Libraries Initiative

      A translational tour de force.

    5. Luminous Libro

      This book had me giggling and laughing from start to finish!

    6. The Book Beat

      Jörg Mühle demonstrates a verbal imagination akin Calvino’s and brush line with the whimsy reminiscent of Guy Delisle’s absurd tales of fatherhood.

    7. Read with a Rescue

      My favorite part is when the hair goes to the zoo and hides in the bear’s fur – pure genius!

    8. Midwest Book Review

      A welcome and recommended addition to elementary school and community library Humor Books.

    9. Youth Services Book Review

      Perfect for a quick hit of humor.

    10. A Year of Reading the World

      Funny, anarchic and beautifully presented.

    11. Unity Books Auckland

      It is both a comic and comical. The pictures do a very important job in enticing even the most reluctant reader to this subject.

    12. World Kid Lit

      A translational tour de force.

    13. Foreword Reviews, starred review

      In the fabulistic chapter book When Dad’s Hair Took Off, harrumphing desperation takes over when a man seeks his wayward hair, tracking it through a bevy of shenanigans.

    14. Book Beat Bookstore

      Jörg Mühle demonstrates a verbal imagination akin Calvino’s and brush line with the whimsy reminiscent of Guy Delisle’s absurd tales of fatherhood.

    15. Kids Book Review

      Perfect for reading out loud and with full-sized, full-colour, intricate illustrations to pore and ponder over, this absurd and absurdly funny book is a gem… Just superb.

    16. Geek Dad

      Delightful, with plenty of hair-related puns.

    17. Square Pegs Round World

      This endearing story will not only make you giggle, it’ll also show you a sweet dad who NEVER gives up!

    18. Read Plus

      This is a spectacularly funny read for sharing or a quick, enjoyable read for independent readers of all ages.

    19. Reading Time – Children’s Book Council of Australia

      It’s totally improbable as a story but is great fun and I found myself laughing aloud at times – not usual for me as a reader. Young readers will also enjoy the impossibility of all that happens.

    20. A Word About Books

      Hair searching for adventure makes for a fast-paced and comical read in this delightfully entertaining and laugh-out-loud illustrated early chapter book.

    21. School Library Journal

      An early chapter book—the kind Gecko Press excels at.

    22. What Book Next?

      Would make an excellent gift, and bring lots of laughter.

    23. Geelong Examiner

      This is a fun, hair-raising tale for early readers.

    24. Kirkus Reviews

      Perfect for an intimate lap-read. Younger listeners will enjoy the silly, complicated chase scenes, while slightly older kids and even adults will also appreciate the plentiful puns and amusing alliteration.

    25. Lindy P, Librarian

      Ridiculous in the very best way!

    26. Poetry Box – Paula Green

      A delight to read.

    27. A Word About Books

      Bursting with clever word-play and hair-puns galore.


Available worldwide from your local bookstore or online.

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