Okay, so I was going to do a post or two relating to Father's Day, but after reading Letter to the Book Chook: Dad Won't Read Aloud, I have decided to write a whole series of posts to recommend books that I think dads will enjoy reading aloud with their children. I admit that my own husband does not read very often with my own children, so maybe I can inspire him to read with them as well!
If you are familiar with the adorable Little Critter series, by Mercer Mayer, a great book dads will enjoy reading with their toddlers and preschoolers is Just Me and My Dad. Whether your husband or son like camping or not, it's a very touching book about a father and a son in the great outdoors. With simple words and eye-catching illustrations, this classic picture book captures the loving bond between a father and a son.
This camping trip may not go exactly as planned, but it certainly turns out to be a memorable trip, especially for the son. And, the best part is, the last thing they do is to read a story together! It really is the little things that matter most, right?
For older readers, between the ages of 7 and 10, another great picture book is Chris Van Allsburg's Two Bad Ants. Children will be fascinated by the dangerous mission these ants embark on to search for food. The illustrations pull readers right into their world, and they will never see their kitchens in the same way again...It definitely could serve as a great lesson on cleanliness in the kitchen!
Any book that helps children to see the world through another perspective (even if it's the perspective of an ant) is a winner in my book! Hey, children really do need to understand that all life is precious. I'll never forget the time that a child was literally pulling apart a caterpillar at a picnic. He didn't realize how cruel he was being. I found myself wondering how much he had ever been read to!
So, not all dads like camping or insects, but since it's my theme for the day, here's another interesting book that dads may enjoy reading with their independent readers. It's called Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices, by Paul Fleischman. It won the Newbery Medal in 1989, as well as many other awards, and it's so unique because the poems are read like musical duets - hence, two voices are used. It's a fun way to share poetry. And guess what, the poems are about insects!
I firmly believe that there are books out there for even the most reluctant of readers, no matter how old they may be. That's why I try very hard to seek out the most unique books I can find to share with you. So, if you don't think these particular books will appeal to the particular dad you have in mind, feel free to check back for more Father's Day book ideas over the next week or so. I'll try to include books that will appeal to all ages of readers, including some that dad can read to himself.
Do you know of any children's books that make great read alouds for dads? Or, can you recommend any books that dads might enjoy reading to themselves? Father's Day is coming up on Sunday, June 21st here in the USA, and books make great gifts!