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Leaf and Steel

motherhood - growth - living

The Best Books About Dads (for Father’s Day 2022)

June 10, 2022

Today I’m sharing the best dad books for Father’s Day 2022! These books make excellent gifts for dads for holidays or even gifts for new dads!

My daughter and husband love to read together – I know I’ll be adding some of these titles to our collection this year.

This post contains affiliate links. This means that I may make a small commission off of products that are purchased through these links, at no cost to you. You can read more about this process here.

I don’t know about you, but we have books strewn all over our house. They’re everywhere. There are books for the bathtub, books for the stroller, books for grandparents’ houses and books for the car….

“Can you read your book while you wait” is an everyday phrase in our house. My daughter has been a voracious reader since the beginning. I love how much she loves to read! I credit our dedication to reading every day since birth (okay, not every day, I’m human).

In my experience, reading and parenting go hand in hand!

There’s nothing sweeter than having my daughter crawl into my lap with her favorite book. As much as I love our snuggles during Puffin Rock or Elmo, reading a great children’s book with her is a joy like no other.

Looking for a gift for mom too? Check out our Gift Guide for the Tired Mama in Your Life!

When is Father’s Day this year?

Father’s Day is on Sunday, June 19th, 2022. Father’s Day is held on the third Sunday in June in the United States.

I have super special celebratory gifts planned. Since my daughter is young, she’ll probably give her dad a homemade card. But, I’m adding on one of these books so they can read it together!

When should I start reading to my baby?

As soon as possible! Even if it’s a quick little board book in the beginning, get into the habit of reading to your baby immediately. I remember adding it onto my list of things to do when I had a newborn.

Make it a point to read with your child every single day.

See this article from Parents for more information: “The Benefits of Reading to Your Newborn” (click here for reference):

Studies have also shown that children who were read to as newborns have a larger vocabulary, as well as more advanced mathematical skills, than other kids their age. A 2019 study published in the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, for example, found that kids who are read to every day are exposed to around 78,000 words each year—over five years, that adds up to 1.4 million words heard during story time.

There’s also a direct link between how many words a baby hears each day and her language skills. One study found that babies whose parents spoke to them a lot scored higher on standard tests when they reached age 3 than children whose parents weren’t as verbal.

Parents, “The Benefits of Reading to Your Newborn”

Lessons from Stay-at-Home Moms

How do I read to my baby more?

I always say that the easiest way to read more books to your little one is to tack it onto an already formed routine. Reading before bedtime, around a mealtime, or after a nap are some of the best times to read with your baby.

Baby M loves to read by herself when I’m making her meals or in the car! By having lots of books in lots of places, it’s easy to keep your little one reading.

Baby Books to Celebrate Moms Everywhere

My Dad is Amazing by Sabrina Moyle

Why a Daughter Needs a Dad by Gregory E. Lang

Why a Son Needs a Dad by Gregory E. Lang

Made for Me by Zack Bush

My Dad Loves Me! by Marianne Richmond

I Love Dad with The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Just Me and My Dad by Mercer Mayer

I Love You, Daddy by Jillian Harker

We Love Our Dad! by Jan Bernstain

Because of You, Dad by Kobi Yamada

Dad by My Side by Soosh

When Dads Don’t Grow Up by Marjorie Blain Parker

Your Baby’s First Word Will Be DADA by Jimmy Fallon

You Made Me a Dad by Laurenne Sala

Spot Loves His Daddy by Eric Hill

Because I’m Your Dad by Ahmet Zappa


So, there are some of the best books to help your little one celebrate Father’s Day in 2022!

Spot Loves His Daddy and My Dad is Amazing are my favorites!

Are you familiar with any of the dad books above?

Let me know below!

O.

More from Leaf and Steel:
  • Easter Traditions to Start with Your Baby or Toddler
  • How I Get Over Writer’s Block
  • How to Create a Home Learning Corner for Your One-Year-Old
  • Lessons from Stay-at-Home Moms
  • How to Take Care of Your Baby When You’re Sick

If you are interested in guest posting on Leaf and Steel, please check out our Guest Post page for guidelines!

Filed in: Uncategorized • by Olivia • Leave a Comment

Give the Gift of Reading

May 31, 2022

Today’s post is a guest post by Elaine of Following Augustine! She is sharing the benefits and joys of reading with little ones.

Be sure to check out Elaine’s site at edebock.wordpress.com!

If you would like to guest post on Leaf and Steel please visit our Guest Post page to view requirements and ideas!

Let’s get into it…


One of the most precious gifts that a parent or grandparent can give a child is the gift of reading. Not necessarily teaching them to read, but reading to and with them. One of my favorite memories from my years of teaching elementary school is that of reading to my students every day. It always saddened me to know that for some children, that was the only time they were ever read to.

It’s never too early to start reading to your baby. While he or she might seem too young to understand, baby will enjoy being close to you and listening to the sound of your voice and will quickly learn to associate this feeling of comfort with books and reading. 

Reading to your little one is also a great way to introduce concepts such as numbers, letters, colors, and shapes in a fun way. Instead of simply reading the words, talk about the illustrations and as baby gets older, begin asking questions. “Where’s the puppy?” “What color is the car?” “How many balloons?” Immersing your child in language helps develop listening skills and memory and begins to build a rich known vocabulary even before they start to talk. 

At some point, your toddler or preschooler might choose a favorite story that they want to hear over and over again. This might seem a bit mind numbing and you may even be tempted to hide that book away in a deep, dark closet, but don’t do it! According to children’s author and illustrator, Rosemary Wells, “All really good picture books are written to be read five hundred times!” By all means, encourage your child to listen to other stories, but keep on reading that favorite one too. What you read isn’t as important as the fact that you do.

Picture books often repeat key words or phrases over and over again. Even before your child learns to read, they will probably begin to recognize these patterns in familiar stories.

When you’re reading aloud and come to such a word or phrase, pause to see if your child will “read” it themself. As they begin to participate in this way, the excitement of reading grows. 

Once your child learns to read on their own, have them read to you or introduce paired reading where you take turns, but don’t stop reading to them. As they get older, you can introduce chapter books, perhaps reading one chapter each day.

This is also a good time to introduce them to a variety of different kinds of stories. You might even be able to share a favorite book from your own childhood.  

Make reading with your child part of your daily routine, perhaps before nap time or bedtime. This gives you and your child an opportunity to cuddle and connect and its calming effect might also help your little one fall asleep more easily.

Books are costly, but there are inexpensive ways to surround your child with them. Second-hand stores and garage sales are often good sources of books at very reasonable prices. And then there’s the library, a never-ending source of books for all ages. There, your child can have the excitement of choosing for themselves from a vast array of books.

Many libraries also have story time for babies and young children. While you’re there, you might want to choose a book for yourself too. Modeling reading is a great way to encourage your child’s interest in books. 

Reading is the key to lifelong learning. It has the power to take your child to faraway places and opens their mind to a whole world of possibilities. If you can instill a love of reading at an early age, you will have given your child a priceless gift that lasts a lifetime.


Elaine is a retired elementary and junior high school teacher, the mother of three grown children, and grandmother of eight. She has been writing the blog, Following Augustine, for over fourteen years. 

Thank you, Elaine, for your post!

Let us know your thoughts below!

O.

More from Leaf and Steel:
  • Mother’s Day Guide for the Tired Mama in Your Life
  • How I Get Over Writer’s Block
  • Lessons from Stay-at-Home Moms
  • Guest Post: How to Be a More Self-Confident Mother and Enhance Your Life
  • Guest Post: Keeping the Focus on You

Filed in: Guest Posts, Uncategorized • by Olivia • 3 Comments

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