A Day with Dad by Bo R. Holmberg is for children who live separately from their father. Eva Eriksson illustrates the tender book. The picture book is for preschool and early elementary children between four and eight-years-old. A Day with Dad has thirty pages.

Tim does not live with his Dad. However, Dad travels by train to spend the entire day with his son. The young boy excitedly waits for the train’s arrival. Tim and his Dad share an exciting day together. The father and son go to the movie theater, library and restaurants. Everywhere the father and son go, Tim announces proudly, “This is my Dad!”

Bo R. Holmberg understands children love their parents whether they live together or apart. Dad proves his love for his child by coming for a visit. He willingly makes the trip to another town to see his son. Dad does not share the precious visit with others. It is just he and his son enjoying each other’s company. This is something children want from their parent.

A Day with Dad reassures children. Their parent loves them. A parent does not need to stay away. All parties can have good times. They make memories which last for years. In fact, A Day with Dad is a picture book not only for the child, but the parent, too. I recommend Dad and child together reading the book. Yet, if a child does not share a special relationship with the absent parent, this is not the book for obvious reasons.

Parents can take a cue from the parents in A Day with Dad. They are civil toward each other. The pair does not interact very much, but no arguing or fighting takes place in front of Tim. This is a lesson many parents need to learn. Not only do the disagreements cause adults stress, but the child(ren) too. We never learn whether Tim’s have divorced or never married, yet the parents make the day as pleasant as possible for Tim.

A Day with Dad is a good book for Father’s Day. Give a copy to a child to read with the non-custodial parent. Later, the child can read the story and recall the wonderful things done on visits with the parent. The parent can write a sweet message for the child(ren) to read. The message will warm the heart at every reading.

Create a memory book. It does not have to be elaborate. Staple or tie together several pages. Draw pictures of family activities. Write simple captions. Add more pages as time goes by.

BellaOnline Children’s Books has books for Father’s Day. Click to read an online summary for other Father’s Day books.



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