In Dad’s Favorite Shirt, a father-daughter beaver duo transforms a flannel shirt full of treasures and memories into a teddy bear

A favorite shirt is never just a shirt. Its pockets hold treasures, its fabric carries memories, and every worn-out spot tells a story. But what happens when it’s finally too worn to repair? 

In Dad’s Favorite Shirt (April 14, 2027, ISBN 9781952338304, hardcover picture book), a charming new picture book published by Patagonia, a dad-and-daughter beaver duo discovers that when a beloved flannel shirt reaches the end of its life, its story doesn’t have to end. Written by Robert Broder and illustrated with whimsical artwork by Blake Suárez, readers learn how a little imagination and creativity can transform a worn-out favorite into something special without losing sentimental value. Together, dad and daughter snip, sew, and stuff his favorite flannel into a teddy bear, preserving its snuggly soft fabric, mismatched buttons, and the same square pocket for keeping treasures safe.

Beavers are fitting characters for a story about making the most of what we have. Known as nature’s engineers, they reshape their surroundings by building dams and creating wetlands that provide habitat for other wildlife, improve water storage, and help support healthy ecosystems. Their resourcefulness and ability to repurpose materials mirror the book’s message: small acts of creativity can have a lasting impact.

Filled with delightful, imaginative illustrations—including contributions from the artist’s own four-year-old daughter—the book celebrates the bond between parent and child and the memories woven into everyday objects. The story is a playful introduction to the idea that we don’t always need something new when we can repair, repurpose, or reimagine what we have.

To help readers bring this idea to life, Dad’s Favorite Shirt includes a link to an easy-to-follow sewing pattern, inviting families to preserve their own shirts and memories, just like in the book. It’s a chance to share stories, learn a new skill, and discover together that the things we cherish can stay part of our lives in unexpected ways.

The book also reflects the values behind Patagonia’s Worn Wear program, which encourages people to extend the life of clothing and outdoor gear through repair, reuse, and secondhand sales. By bringing these ideas to a young audience, Dad’s Favorite Shirt invites families to see the potential in the things they already own—and to recognize that caring for our belongings can be both practical and meaningful.

ROBERT BRODER (www.robertbroder.com) is a dad and picture book author. He likes hiking, dogs, snow, and coffee—especially all four at once, while wearing his favorite flannel shirt. Robert lives in a small town surrounded by green mountains near a big lake. He has written and published numerous children's books with his company, Ripple Grove Press, and with other publishers. Dad’s Favorite Shirt is his second collaboration with Patagonia, after Better Than New: A Recycle Tale (2020). He currently resides in Shelburne, Vermont.

BLAKE SUÁREZ is a graphic designer and an illustrator. He often wears a flannel shirt, just like Dad in the book, but his two kids call him “Papa.” His daughter, when she was four, helped him create a lot of the textures and doodles you see on these pages. This is his first picture book. He currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina.

On sale April 14, 2027, Author Robert Broder, Illustrator Blake Suárez
ISBN 9781952338304, Hardcover Picture Book, Ages 4-8
40 pages, Trim: 9.0 in X 11.25 in, $18 U.S. / $25.99 CAN
Printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper
Media Contact: Stephanie Ridge, 512-810-9238, stephanie@wildridgepr.com

About Patagonia
We’re in business to save our home planet. Founded by Yvon Chouinard in 1973, Patagonia is an outdoor apparel company based in Ventura, California. As a certified B Corporation and a founding member of 1% for the Planet, the company is recognized internationally for its product quality and environmental activism, as well as its contributions of more than $240 million to environmental organizations. Its unique ownership structure reflects that Earth is its only shareholder: Profits not reinvested back into the business are paid to Holdfast Collective to protect the planet.