You Made Me a Dad
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that You Made Me a Dad, by Laurenne Sala (You Made Me a Mother) and illustrated by Mike Malbrough, captures the wondrous emotions of having a child. Told from a father's point of view, it covers his feelings from pregnancy to birth and beyond, including the expectation of having a baby and all of the questions, fears, excitement, and anticipation that come before and after the arrival of a child. You Made Me a Dad poignantly carries the reader through various experiences a parent shares with a child, from reading stories and sharing music and exploring the outdoors together. Rich watercolor illustrations show a white dad and brown-skinned mom and daughter, as the little girl grows from birth into childhood.
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What's the story?
In YOU MADE ME A DAD, author Laurenne Sala and illustrator Mike Malbrough capture the many facets of fatherhood, from the feeling of anticipation before a baby's arrival to the unique and important experience of having a child to raise and care for. The father is very doting, involved, and eager to share his interests and passions with his kid, taking a hands-on approach to parenting.
Is it any good?
This warm, tender picture book is a poignant exploration of the father-child relationship and a moving tribute to that very special dynamic. It shows how the dad's devoted feeling begins even before his baby comes into the world. This sweet story captures the special relationship of a father and daughter but could help kids understand what an emotional experience it can be for any parent or caregiver toward a kid of any gender.
You Made Me a Dad captures many standout moments, from sharing stories, music, and laughter together to exploring what it means to raise a child with empathy, kindness, curiosity, and an adventurous spirit.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about how fatherhood is shown in You Made Me a Dad. How is a father's experience unique? How can it differ from the experience of a mother, grandparent, sibling, or friend?
What kind of activities are shown here between father and daughter? What kind of things do you like to do with your family?
Do you think being a parent is any different for a dad than it is for a mom? What would be different, and what would be the same?
Book details
- Author: Laurenne Sala
- Illustrator: Mike Malbrough
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Great Boy Role Models
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
- Publication date: May 7, 2019
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 8
- Number of pages: 32
- Available on: Hardback, iBooks
- Last updated: June 26, 2019
For kids who love dads and family
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