A discussion came up recently about Father’s Day and Mother’s Day and whether or not single moms should be recognized on Father’s Day as well as Mother’s Day. It really got me to thinking about just how powerful an impact that dad has on his children, or the impact of a lack of a dad/father figure. This is so very evident in how sons often parrot their fathers. How, in a healthy home, often the sons will go through a phase where they want to be just like dad. Dress like dad. Shave like dad. Even grow a beard like dad!
Matter of fact, that’s the subject of one of two great books I was recently sent. The first is Beard In A Box by Bill Cotter. This wonderful tale is the story of a young lad who thinks his father is awesome! All the neat things his father can do, who wouldn’t think so? The thing is, the young boy thinks his father’s “awesome” is powered by his beard. Again, who wouldn’t think such a thing? Of course I may be a little biased on this one. Funny thing is that no matter how young or old your children are, dads all over may experience a similar scenario in their own households. My own 18 year old has been trying to grow out his face fuzz because he wants to wear a bear like me. He even shaves it occasionally, proclaiming to my wife that if he does, it will grow back thicker! Honestly, it’s kind of cool to have my son look up to my beard and want to model after me, but what’s even cooler is how the book, Beard In A Box ends. I don’t want to give it away, but by the end of the book, the young boy finds out that all those things his dad can do that he thought was beard powered, well, let’s just say his “awesome” was powered by something else and it will get you right in the feels.
If you’re a mom, or know a dad with a wonderful relationship with his young son(s), I highly recommend this book as a Father’s Day gift. It makes for a great read, especially for that dad in your life who rocks a majestic beard!
The other children’s book I received was Dad School by Rebecca Van Slyke. This was a fun read because we all tend to marvel at the way that children see the world. We’ve created whole TV shows around children saying the darndest things because of the innocence and naivete they see things through. Dad School explores that notion when the main character looks at how he’s learned so many things at school and thinks that the only way his dad could’ve possibly learned how to do so many awesome fatherly things is at a “Dad School.”
Van Slyke takes readers on a trip through the child’s imagination as he ponders all the things his dad does with him and the various classes he must’ve aced to become such a good dad. As a parent, I really appreciate this take on fatherhood because the truth is that there is no manual. Sure, there are self-help books galore, but none of them can fully prepare you for whatever unique situations you may find yourself in with your own children! I remember when I did take a class, lamaze to be exact, before my children were born. Once those labor pains hit, everything my wife and I learned went right out the door.
I remember trying to comfort her as instructed, “Honey, breathe.”
I also remember her yelling at me, “This hurts!! YOU BREATHE!!!”
I imagine that if there were really “Dad School” that when you attempted to apply some things it may go somewhat like that, but it’s still a fun take on what goes on in children’s minds to read a book based around imagining how dad becomes a good dad. Definitely another good read and a fun gift this Father’s Day!
Disclosure: I was given these books for free for the purpose of this review. I was not paid or compensated otherwise and, surely, $30 worth of free books that my own children are far too old to enjoy isn’t enough for me to write a fluff piece or compromise my integrity.
Leave a Reply