Dads - how do we even begin to describe how much they matter in this world.
This story is about a boy who has an amazing dad. This story is haunted by the fact that this boy has a grandfather who disappeared from his father's life and now is not present in his own life. Ghosts of dads who were not there.
But this dad knows how to be a dad. He's a fun guy, he's an insightful guy, he's wise enough to let the boy "do it himself" to learn to figure out and to learn that he can do it... whatever it is.
Yes, this dad is the rock, the guy who will be there and who can be counted on and trusted. Trust - a big word in the dad/son world.
This book also feels very much like a book that is written to the wounded boy inside many men who grew up without a dad or grew up without a dad who was truly present for them or capable of being the father they needed so deeply.
A celebration of the importance of good dads at the same time it is a mournful call to the fathers who leave their children in so many ways.
32 pages 9781915590671 Ages 5-10
Keywords: fathers/sons, grandfather, parenting, reassurance, love, 5 year old, 6 year old, 7 year old, 8 year old, 9 year old, 10 year old, abandonment, intergenerational, multigenerational
Recommended by: Barb Langridge, abookandahug.com
**********
Oliver never met his grandpa. He wonders what he would tell Grandpa if the two of them could meet, even once. Oliver decides that he would tell him about an amazing man that Grandpa never met: Oliver's dad, Grandpa's own son. In this touching and heartfelt story, you will be taken on a journey of what it means to be a dad and to be the master of your own destiny.---from the publisher
Meet the author:
Victor D.O. Santos, PhD is an award-winning author, a language-learning expert, and a father to two multilingual and trilingual children. He is best known as the author of the picture book 'What Makes Us Human'. All of Victor's fun and beautifully illustrated children's books serve to show children the importance of respecting one another, believing in their true potential, and of trusting the power of love. My Dad, My Rock is based on Victor's personal family history and the first words in the book were actual words he heard from his son on a starry Saturday night during bedtime reading.
*******
Oliver has never met his grandpa, and neither has his dad. But Oliver wants his Grandpa to know about this special man that he fathered, a man who is his role model and rock. Against a background of soft pastel illustrations that echo Oliver's emotions, he tells him all about the special relationship they share, the things they like and do together. But, just as the panels showing the planting, wilting and revitalising of a small tree, so do relationships need care and nurturing, and even if they are neglected for a while, they can be renewed and regenerated.
Even though his dad has two eyes, two arms and two legs, like most other dads, Oliver refers to him as Octopus Dad, convinced that he had at least five of each because he always seems to know what Oliver is doing, where he is and when he needs him. He also teaches Oliver about handling his emotions - counting to 10 when he is angry, making it okay for him to cry and tells him "hugs are food for the heart"., all those things that a father would want to know about his child as a man, perhaps confirming that, as a parent, he got it right.
While there are many books extolling the virtues of fathers and the special relationship they have with their children, this one with its twist of a son talking to a grandfather is different and opens up scope for inviting students to share their perceptions of their dad with someone who doesn't know him, particularly for those who are a little older and have the maturity to step back a little and reflect.
A great addition to any special focus on fathers, relationships, Fathers' Day and even the mandated Respectful relationships curriculum as we teach our boys how real men act and respond to others.
Recommended by: Barbara Braxton, Teacher Librarian, New South Wales AUSTRALIA
Read more of her recommendations:
500 Hats http://500hats.edublogs.org/
The Bottom Shelf http://thebottomshelf.edublogs.org/
