Saturday is Pancake Day

Papa Milo is in the kitchen making his famous pancakes with the children, but Dada Henry doesn’t want any. He feels under the weather – like a raincloud.

So Papa Milo and the children decide to invent some other fantastic food treats to cheer Dada Henry up – will Good Morning Green Ice Cream work? That’s pickles, spinach, mayonnaise and ice cream. Perhaps Maple Come Back for More – a heavenly synthesis of lima beans, mashed pumpkin, lime cordial and maple syrup – will do the trick? 

Finally, when Dada Henry appears, it’s not so much the yummy food that tempts him downstairs as the fact that he’s enjoyed a well-earned rest and a bit of alone time – just in time to give Papa Milo a break. And then it’s time to eat all the unusual creations… 

This charming picture book works both on the level of a fun book about crazy food combinations but also as a gentle tale with a positive mental health theme. Sometimes, we can all get frazzled or depressed, and it’s okay to need a little ‘me time’ – and family (and food!) is always there waiting for when you want to re-join the world. Plus, it’s lovely to see a two-dad relationship, and an equal, loving, and caring parenting partnership represented. 

Daniel Gray-Barnett’s cute and silly illustrations are full of verve and energy and children will love looking at all the crazy foods Papa Milo and the children cook up.