My Dad's the Best

A warm and witty celebration of what makes all dads special, from the brilliantly funny Nicholas Allan.

One of my favourite picture books authors and one who has bought us much joy with some excellent books in recent years. His warm-hearted approach and perfectly positioned sense of humour never fails to hit the mark - and this superb celebration of dads is brilliant to share. Every dad is different; every dad is special. This dad can't sing like a pop star or cook like a chef...but, he can help with tricky homework, tell amazing bedtime stories and give the best piggybacks! Find out what else makes dads the best in this special celebration of fathers everywhere! The super illustrations are brimful of joy, humour and love and perfectly complement the flowing rhyming text.

Nicholas Allan studied Fine Art at the Slade and has completed an MA in creative writing at the University of East Anglia. His highly original picture books have won him several awards including the Sheffield Children's Book Award for The Queen's Knickers and the Federation of Children's Books Best Picture Book Award for Demon Teddy. He is also the author of Hilltop Hospital, a book that has been adapted into a BAFTA-winning television series. Nicholas Allan is the author/illustrator of over thirty children's books.

From the creator of The Queen’s Knickers comes a hilarious and charming look at what makes each dad different, and why dads are the very best! 
 
This dad can't sing like a pop star or cook like a chef...but, he can help with tricky homework, tell amazing bedtime stories and give the best piggybacks! Find out what else makes dads the best in this special celebration of fathers everywhere! 
 
Both children and adults will love this hilarious insight into the special relationship between father and child.

Heaven

A poignant, heart-warming story for everyone who has ever owned a pet, by the brilliant Nicholas Allan

The single most poignant children's book . . . It won't take away all the pain of a pet's death but it will make it much more bearable

Nicholas Allan deals with the subject of death . . . with the kind of comic warmth and understanding one has come to expect from this talented bookmaker

A book for anyone whose dog has died - or anyone facing he death of someone they love.

Dill the dog knows his time is up so he packs his case and tells Lily, his owner, that he's off "up there". "Can I come too?" asks Lily. "Er . . . not yet," replies Dill. 
While he is waiting for the angels to collect him, Dill explains to Lily what he thinks heaven is like: hundreds of lampposts to pee against, lots of whiffy things to smell and bones everywhere - with meat on them! But Lily completely disagrees, she thinks heaven is quite different. Luckily, they agree to disagree just in time for a fond, and very poignant, last goodbye. 
Nicholas Allan is unique among picture book creators for his combination of off-beat humour and child appeal.

The Prince and the Potty

A celebration of all things princely, and all things potty!

Tongue-in-cheek and full of fun illustrations to match, this is an irreverent and charming picture book, perfect for fans of the Royal family both young and old.

Nicholas Allan's books are just brilliant with their irreverent and yet never disrespectful look at royalty. Revel in the glorious humour of the illustrations too. Glorious!

A jolly escapade through the world of potties, royalty and tiny accidents in this hilarious romp from the bestselling creator of The Queen's Knickers, Nicholas Allan. 
 
It's time for the prince to use his potty, so it's off to the Royal Potty Workshop! There are singing potties, potties pulled by corgis, and even super-duper flying Royal Robo-Potties! 
 
But it's hard work finding the perfect potty for the job ... especially when disaster strikes. Can the Royal Baby find his own solution? 
 
Praise for The Royal Nappy: 
"Lots of fun" The Sun

Father Christmas Comes Up Trumps!

Uh-oh - help Father Christmas navigate Christmas Eve with the gurgliest, rumbliest tummy... 
 
A naughty Christmas treat from Nicholas Allan - creator of FATHER CHRISTMAS NEEDS A WEE!

A cheeky seasonal treat and sequel to the hugely popular Father Christmas Needs a Wee!

Told through rhyming couplets, children will love to join in with this one and the onomatopoeic words will encourage enthusiastic interaction... Be prepared for squeals of glee and cheeky laughter from start to finish.

A lively and fun story to get children into the Christmas spirit and with its rhyming text, rooftop spreads and the delight of a 'naughty word', it makes a great read-aloud

Written with great descriptive text ... Any young child is going to find this book thoroughly entertaining

This is laugh out loud stuff, just right for letting off  steam after that magnificent Christmas dinner (with sprouts, of course), but  children and parents will be happy to return to this lovely book any time of the  year.

Nicholas Allan (Author, Illustrator) Nicholas Allan studied Fine Art at the Slade and has completed an MA in creative writing at the University of East Anglia. His highly original picture books have won him several awards including the Sheffield Children's Book Award for The Queen's Knickers and the Federation of Children's Books Best Picture Book Award for Demon Teddy. He is also the author of Hilltop Hospital, a book that has been adapted into a BAFTA-winning television series. Nicholas Allan is the author/illustrator of over thirty children's books.

Father Christmas is back, and this time he's had three helping of sprouts! As he tries to deliver the presents, his tummy rumbles, gurgles and groans, but Father Christmas knows he must keep it in - he doesn't want to wake anyone up! 
 
Will he come up TRUMPS?

A Royal Baby Book

The Royal Nappy

From the author of THE QUEEN'S KNICKERS comes a warm witty look at the world of the Royal Baby and the Royal Nappy!

There is much to discuss in all Allan’s pictures, and the simple text will tempt many young readers.

Sure to delight youngsters with its cheeky and irreverent take on the different types of nappy available for every occasion ... Children's National Book Award winner Allan delivers once again, poking gentle fun at the royals with playful illustrations and a witty storyline.

Nicholas Allan has cornered the market in hilarious lavatorial picture books

Allan's cheeky laugh-out-loud celebration

Following the huge success of The Queen’s Knickers, here comes Allan with another peek into life in Royal households...There is much to discuss in all Allan’s pictures, and the simple text will tempt many young readers.

This hilarious, contemporary story ... is equally irreverent and funny, and destined to become a family favourite.

Nicholas Allan (Author, Illustrator) 
Nicholas Allan studied Fine Art at the Slade and has completed an MA in creative writing at the University of East Anglia. His highly original picture books have won him several awards including the Sheffield Children's Book Award for The Queen's Knickers and the Federation of Children's Books Best Picture Book Award for Demon Teddy. He is also the author of Hilltop Hospital, a book that has been adapted into a BAFTA-winning television series. Nicholas Allan is the author/illustrator of over thirty children's books.

Meet the Royal Baby and of course, Nanny, who looks after the Royal Baby and the all-important Royal Nappy Cabinet! 
 
A funny, warm look at the royal nappy through history - from Henry VIII to the present day and a very special new arrival... 
 
Find out where the royal nappies are made, the different kinds for every occasion (parachuting nappies say, or shiny nappies for palace floors - whee!), and what happens when the royal nappies... run out!

Cinderella's Bum

Another Nicholas Allan classic that mixes hilarious humour with warmth and wisdom - bodies can be beautiful (and useful) in all shapes and sizes.

Endlessly inventive, Nicholas Allan knows just what appeals to young children . . . Clever, quirky and beautifully illustrated, children will love this

Cheeky title but with a subtle message about loving your body whatever its shape and size. Lovely

Celebrate your body whatever shape or size with Nicholas Allan's cheeky picture book

An hilarious picture book with an important message

A big sister is horrified when she can't fit into her swimming costume. Her BOTTOM IS SOO BIG! But her little sister has some good advice. 
 
There follows a wonderful romp through history and fairyland, as the little sister explains exactly why a big bottom can be useful. Father Christmas needs one for crash landings and, if you are a queen, a big bum is vital to keep you comfy while sitting on your throne . . . 
 
Once again Nicholas Allan combines laugh-out-loud humour with real insight that cannot fail to raise a smile.

Picasso's Trousers

A funny, life-affirming picture book about daring to be different from the inimitable Nicholas Allan!

Young readers will love to see Picasso in his studio and will enjoy the quirky surprise at the end of the book. Children will hopefully be inspired by Picasso's creations to produce imaginative work of their own. They will be amazed by his imagination and will love to read along with the catchy repetitive text in the story

It’s a fascinating insight . . . The book is filled with colourful pictures and even a special fold-out page that keeps kids enthusiastically turning the pages

Whenever Picasso does something different, people say, "No! No! No! Picasso!" But Picasso doesn't listen. Instead, he says . . . "Yes!". He paints all-blue pictures, all-pink pictures, plus pictures from the front and side all at the same time! He makes art out of bike bits and he can draw pictures in less than 60 seconds! 
 
Soon he becomes the greatest painter in the world. But he still wants to be different . . .

The Giant's Loo Roll

From the author of Father Christmas Needs a Wee! comes this brilliantly funny story with an environmental message.

Combines the fun of a giant’s runaway toilet roll with the fantastic line: “Fe fi fo fum, what can I use to wipe my...?”

This is a fun rollercoaster story for young children with a jaunty rhyming text. With lovely, colourful pictures and even a gentle environmental reminder about wasting paper, it’s sure to make children giggle.

A giant's toilet roll goes on a crazy journey in a very funny, typically cheeky romp with an environmental theme.

Snappy rhyming couplets accompanied by textured painterly images and a subtly imbued, humorously delivered, envionmental message.

A hilarious story with wonderful touches of humour in text and picture - and don't miss all the little details in the pictures, which are quite amazing.

...brilliantly illustrated. This book is great value and will have you in stitches ... this cheeky, naughty, ever-so-rude and hilariously funny story will certainly stimulate their imaginations, their sense of fun, creative writing skills and 'play with language' in the best possible ways!

Pure genius! Nicholas Allan deserves a knighthood for that one! ... This is a bedtime story that I always choose because we’re guaranteed to dissolve into hysterics before the end of the story, however many times we’ve read it

This rip-roaring, read-aloud delight follows a giant's toilet roll as it goes on a crazy journey through town, leaving havoc in its wake. What will the townsfolk do with all the enormous sheets of paper? They could build a paper plane, or make 100s of pairs of pants. . . But will there be any paper left for the giant in his time of need?

The Queen's Knickers

A sparkling, new edition of the affectionate, funny classic story: the perfect book for every child to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

The Queen is not a subject beyond humour; a welcome, gold-embossed reissue of Nicholas Allan's picture book The Queen's Knickers takes a cheerily irreverent look at royals

Humourous, entertaining and a little bit naughty, this classic has been revived with a eye-catching new cover for the Jubilee, the story inside is as brilliant as it has always been . . . Pairing a tongue-in-cheek story of how the Queen chooses her undergarments, with charming and warming illustrations, creates a book to be loved by children of all ages

A jolly story . . . This one made my four-year-old son hoot with laughter

This new edition will hopefully bring the book to a whole new audience of knicker-making monarchists

This is a knockout . . . Affectionate, funny and entirely delightful

Speculation about HRH's underwear is a mischievous subject that children will no doubt enjoy during the pomp and circumstance of the Diamond Jubilee

This hilarious and irreverent book with delightful pictures takes you on a royal tour of the royal smalls

What fun! Children will adore this book, with its irreverent look at the fascinating topic of what the Queen wears under all her smart outfits . . . A wonderfully imaginative look inside a child's mind

Warm, affectionate but naughtily humorous this is a must read text for any child aged from one to six-years-old

It's a busy year for the Queen - she has lots of important events to attend. Meanwhile, a little girl is wondering what knickers Her Majesty will choose to wear on a school visit! Will they be her 'at home' knickers - adorned with corgis - or her 'garden party' knickers, or perhaps her woolly Balmoral ones...? 
 
Both children and adults will love this very special and endearing insight into a child's imagination, from the best-selling author-illustrator of Father Christmas Needs A Wee and Jesus' Christmas Party. 
 
Recently, the Queen visited a nursery in Norfolk and enjoyed a display based on the book: 
 
"...just to make it special, there was one element that was not quite so traditional: pants. These were not just any pants, either. They were the Queen's Knickers, and at Dersingham Infant and Nursery School, in Norfolk, they were put on special display in honour of their royal visitor" ~ Valentine Low, The Times

Jesus' Christmas Party

Hilarious, classic Christmas tale from the author of Father Christmas Needs a Wee!

It will have both of you laughing all the way through

The funniest, most endearing version of the nativity story for many years

A special new enlarged edition of the bestselling Christmas story told from the point of view of the grumpy innkeeper. When a night of angels, shepherds and bright stars keeps him from his sleep, is there anything that will cheer him up?

Father Christmas Needs a Wee

A funny and festive counting book in brilliantly bouncy rhyme

A Christmas counting book that’s sure to be popular with younger children – watch them giggle with delight as Father Christmas helps himself to tasty treats as he delivers the presents, only to find that he really, really, really needs a wee…

There can be few more arresting titles on the market than Nicholas Allan's Father Christmas Needs A Wee . . . Perfect for all, pretty much from birth

Big, bold pictures and wonderful facial expressions make this a must for Christmas and ever afterwards

A funny, festive counting book that has a brilliant, bouncy rhyme that kids will want you to read again and again - and again

This rhyming counting book will appeal to youngsters with a practical turn of mind or those who like toilet humour

Written in a jolly rhyming text that also encourages counting skills, this is an ingeniously original Santa Claus story packed with silly humour that will appeal to children

"Father Christmas needs a wee. 
He's been drinking drinks since half past three . . ." 
 
At each different house that he visits Father Christmas drinks and eats all the goodies left out for him. Before long he really, really, really needs a wee. So much so that he even forgets to leave the presents behind. But he dashes back, delivers all the pressies and flies home at high speed to avoid an embarassing accident . . . there's just one tiny problem . . . he's lost his house key! 
 
Find out what happens and whether Father Christmas ever gets to relieve himself in this brilliant and fabulously funny counting book from the talented author/illustrator Nicholas Allan!

Where Willy Went

Another hilarious treat from Nicholas Allan, here explaining the facts of life for the very young

A simple introduction to reproduction. 
 
Every single day, Willy, a small sperm, practices for the Great Swimming Race. 
 
But, when the day arrives, will Willy be able to swim faster than his 300 million friends? He'll have to if he stands a chance of meeting the marvellous egg. 
 
Join Willy on his biggest adventure yet! 
 
Hilariously funny, warm, and playful, this is a picture book that appeals to both children and grown-ups. 
 
"Fresh, original, and imaginative. . . . Allan's achievement is in couching fascinating facts within the construct of a gentle, direct narrative. A little knowledge is a wonderful thing, and as the rest of the facts of life fall into place, Allan's readers will look back on this book with a mixture of fondness and wry amusement." -The Guardian

Frank and funny . . . Takes young children, skipping and whooping, out from under the gooseberry bush

Likeably frank . . . Truthful and informative . . . Use it as a springboard for your own elaboration and discussion

A wonderful way to introduce the facts of life to young children in a non-threatening, accessible way

The facts of life are presented to young readers in an accessible format, helped by Nicholas Allan's humorous illustrations

Hilariously funny, warm, endearing and totally non-threatening - this small masterpiece presents the facts of life to young children in a unique but totally accessible way. A godsend for any parent faced with awkward questions

Jesus' Day Off

Jesus is back in another warm, endearing story. Following on from his wonderful Christmas party it is a few years and a few miracles later and Jesus is ready for a day off. After all, being the saviour of the world can be hard work!

Jesus worked hard to make the world beautiful. He performed miracles, told fabulous stories - all for free - and generally spent his time spreading joy and light around the world. A tiring business, as Jesus had to admit when, one day, he had trouble getting out of bed. And worse - the miracles start to go wrong! But help is at hand. 'Take the day off, Jesus,' said the doctor. 'Relax.  Have some fun!' So Jesus had some fun - but was it worth it? Dad, as usual, has the answer!

Nicholas Allan

In this riotous rhyme from Nicholas Allan, the queue for the loo gets very long indeed, as a series of multi-coloured animals impatiently join! 
 
Count, spot colours, spot animals, and all join in to find out who's in the loo...

Nicholas Allan

Books by Nicholas Allan

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