My Dad Doesn't Even Notice

I wasn't sure about this book. The idea has been used before and, I felt, rather better. The little boy conjures up ever-wilder happenings from Dad's metaphorical language (you know the sort of thing --- 'you sound like a herd of elephants') and each time Dad doesn't even notice that his phrase has come literally true .... or, of course we have to ask, has it? It seemed to me that Not Now, Bernard or On the Way Home pose the same questions about reality and unreality and with greater subtlety. However, the children did enjoy the book and, I must say, the pictures, especially of the stereotypical unshaven, half-asleep Dad, are humorous and cheerful and the happenings that apparently go on round him are often funny. Certainly one to try on your children.