Growing a Reader: Kids' Books, Tips and More

I was lucky to have two loving paren'ts who instilled many values in me, but there is no doubt in my mind that my love of books and reading came from my dad. Growing up, he was the one to read aloud to me and my sisters and pack us in the car and drive us to town to check out the limited picture book selection at the small public library/doctor’s office. There was always a novel on the go by his bedside – often something by Tom Clancy and usually dog-eared (which slays the librarian in me now!) and many nights, on the way to get a glass of water, I recall seeing him with a book propped in his lap as the sun began to rise.

Like my father, I’m sharing my love of books with my daughter, but it’s watching my husband read with her that makes my heart swell. He’s never considered himself to be a “reader” but when they’re together sharing a book, you’d never know it – he’s playful, switching voices for each character, and reflects on what they read together, asking her questions. The time he spends reading with her at bedtime is powerful, and not just because it builds early literacy skills – he acknowledges that it’s the best part of his day, and despite being the “trained” storyteller in my family, when I ask my daughter who she’d like to read books to her, she usually requests Daddy.

So, as Father’s Day approaches, I thought I’d recommend a few picture books for kids and dads to share that celebrate the love that fathers (and those caring men who step into the role) demonstrate the whole year through:

Happy Father's Day!