Fathers and Books

By Julie Douglas, Family Program Specialist, Missouri Humanities Council
June 13, 2007

A group of parents had just finished reading Mouse Count by Ellen Stoll Walsh. The story introduces readers to a snake who collects ten sleeping mice and drops them into a jar to snack on later.  The mice eventually outwit the greedy snake and get away.  One father closed the book and shook his head.

"I'd never read this to my little boy," he announced.  His reason? The snake looked too "cute" and friendly. He wanted to make sure his child never viewed snakes as harmless.  He explained that if his son thought snakes were cute, he might try to pick up one of the poisonous snakes that lived in the woods around their rural Missouri home.  This insightful comment led to a conversation about fiction and nonfiction and helping children tell the difference.

Fathers often participate in READ from the START programs and add spontaneity, humor, and a unique perspective to the group. Often dads are the first to experiment with altering their voices when reading.  They like to use sound effects to liven up a story.  And during storytelling activities, the dads really let their imaginations soar!

Research shows that children greatly benefit from being read to by their father or other male caregiver.  Not only does reading to a child help develop emerging literacy skills, but it also strengthens the bond between the parent and child, and serves as a way to express shared values.  In our society, where reading to children is sometimes viewed as the mother’s "job," it's important to encourage fathers to read to their children.

In celebration of fathers, take a look at some entertaining stories about dads.  Happy Father’s Day! (At the bottom of this list is a link to Freepledge.com, an internet site that connects retail vendors and their customers with non-profits. If you buy books on-line through the Freepledge portal, a percentage of the transaction is contributed by the vendor to the Missouri Humanities Council.)

My Father the Dog by Elizabeth Bluemle, illustrated by Randy Cecil (Candlewick, 2006)

A young girl suspects that her father is actually a dog, and sets out to convince the reader in this very silly (but fun!) picture book.

Ramona and Her Father by Beverly Cleary  (Oxford University Press, 2000)

Ramona Quimby faces a less-than-perfect second grade year and family dramas in Beverly Cleary’s Newbery Honor Book. 

Daddy's Lullaby by Tony Bradman , illustrated by Jason Cockcroft (Margaret K. McElderry; 2002)

This beautifully illustrated story by British author Tony Bradman reveals the quiet bonding time between a dad and a not-so-sleepy baby while the rest of the house snoozes.

My Man Blue by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by  Jerome LaGarrigue (Puffin, 2002)

Told in a series of poems, My Man Blue explores young Damon’s feelings of mistrust and ambivalence and eventually friendship for his mother’s new friend, Blue.

How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long, illustrated by David Shannon (Harcourt, 2003)

Sandcastle builder extraordinaire Jeremy Jacobs joins a band of pirates, leaving his parents behind on the beach.   All is well until Jeremy begins to miss some of the often overlooked perks of living at home.  Children and parents will laugh out loud at Jeremy’s adventure.

What Dads Can't Do by Douglas Wood, illustrated by Doug Cushman (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 2005)

Dads and children will recognize themselves in this humorous look at all of the ordinary things that fathers can't do (such as sleeping late, or going fishing alone.)

My Dad! by Charles Fuge (Gullane Children's Books, 2004)

A little bear wildly exaggerates when describing his father and, in doing so, frightens off his playmates in this delightful tale of a father and his boastful cub.

And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson, illustrated by Henry Cole (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 2005)

Based on the true story of two male penguins at the Central Park Zoo who raise a baby penguin, this book takes a tender look at a special family that is "just a little bit different."

Daddy's Little Girl by Bobby Burke, illustrated by Maggie Kneen (HarperCollins, 2004)

If you've attended a wedding reception, you've probably heard the song that this charming bedtime book is based on. 

Daddy's Little Boy by Billy Collins, illustrated by Maggie Kneen (HarperCollins, 2004)

Here's another one adapted from a 1950s song about a special little boy.

My Dad by Anthony Browne (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2001)

This boy's dad can do it all from wrestling giants to walking a tightrope in Browne's cleverly illustrated tribute to a father.  

When I Am Old With You by Angela Johnson, illustrated by David Soman (Scholastic, 1993)

The special bond between a grandfather and grandchild is explored as the child imagines a time when they will both be old together.

Baby Rattlesnake/Viborita de Cascabel told by Te Ata, adapted by Lynn Moroney, illustrated by Mira Reisberg (Children’s Book Press, 1999)

A baby rattlesnake learns about forgiveness in this warm Native American tale (in English and Spanish)

In Daddy's Arms I Am Tall: African Americans Celebrating Fathers illustrated by Javaka Steptoe (Lee and Low, 2001)

Thirteen poems in a richly illustrated picture book that pays tribute to fathers.

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