Father. Dad. Pops. Chief. Old Man. What comes to mind when you hear these words? In honor of this upcoming Father’s Day, I asked library team members to share either a word they think of when they think about their dads or an activity that they enjoy(ed) doing together. Then, my goal was to find books that matched what they said.
My (Rachel, Circulation Manager) dad and I both enjoy humor, even if we may be the only ones to find our jokes funny. If you’re someone that enjoys laughing, you may be interested in Only Joking: What’s So Funny About Making People Laugh? If you want to share your love of laughter with the next generation, Sheepish Riddles may give you the inspiration you need for your next joke.
Beth, Collection Development Coordinator, used the word kind to describe her dad. My Father’s Hands shows us a father gardening and taking the time to show his daughter all the wonder that comes with it. Showing someone kindness and giving them your time and attention can be one of the greatest things you do for them.
Sara, Circulation Associate and Administrative Secretary, mentioned that she and her dad share a love of reading and that he would occasionally read aloud to her. If you’re looking for a way to connect with your child and aren’t confident in your read aloud skills, I suggest reading The Ramped-Up Read Aloud: What to Notice as You Turn the Page.
Stephen, Systems Librarian, shares a love of baseball with his dad, specifically the St. Louis Cardinals. If you’re a fellow Cardinals fan, I suggest reading One Last Strike: Fifty Years in Baseball, Ten and a Half Games Back, and One Final Championship Season.
Amber, Instruction Librarian, and her dad both like to participate in 5ks. If you’ve been looking for the right inspiration to start running, you might consider Better Runs: 25 Years’ Worth of Lessons for Running Faster and Farther.
Sarah, Circulation Associate, and her dad enjoy hiking together. The Complete Walker IV can help you get ready for your next hike.
Darius, Evening Circulation Supervisor, and his dad both take pride in good lawncare. Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen is about a 12-year-old boy that’s beginning to learn that same skill.
Melissa, Director for Library Services, and her dad enjoyed star gazing. If that’s something of interest to you, you might enjoy The Friendly Stars: A New Edition of an Astronomical Classic or Space Encyclopedia: A Tour of Our Solar System and Beyond.
I hope that you’ve enjoyed learning a little more about our team members and our relationship with our dads. Can you relate to any of us with these traits or activities? If it’s hard for you to think of something special you share with your dad, you might want to look at Wisdom of Our Fathers: Lessons and Letters from Daughters and Sons. It’s full of stories that remind you that the little things, like having your dad put gas in your car in my case, mean more than you realize. Happy Father’s Day!
This review reflects Rachel Bloomingburg’s own opinions and not necessarily those of the library or university.
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