The Details:
Written and Illustrated by Anna Grossnickle Hines
Copyright 1986
Grade level (according to Scholastic) Pre-K to Second Grade
This book has been well loved and well read in our house for the past 9 years. We got it in June of 2009, the first year my husband became a dad. While scholastic.com has the reading focus of this book for preschoolers through second grade, we have read Daddy Makes The Best Spaghetti to our children since infancy. The girls love it and when it's daddy's turn to read at night or around Father's Day this is the book they use to always pick out, now-a-days they have a much larger variety of books they like to read but it's still on the shelf and ever once in a while they ask him to read it to them.
The title alone grabbed my attention. My husband is a great cook, and he loves spaghetti and pizza so I knew I was getting this book just based on the title, then when I saw the cover image it sealed the deal. A good dad is someone who is there all the time, a great dad is one that is there and is fun and silly. The cover art portrays that fun loving child-father relationship. The spaghetti pot of the head marching around having fun. This "fun" dad is through the whole book, which I think is why it's a favorite of ours. The dad is excited and happy to spend time with the child, and makes everything they do entertaining.Anna Hines wrote a wonderful story that captures this one child's evening with his family. It's beautiful. Dad picks Corey up from day care, they talk about dinner, go shopping, and cook, just in time for Mom to get home and eat together. After dinner Corey helps mom clean up, then gets a bath, book, and bedtime. I love the family bond that is captured in both the illustrations and the text. The two tie together seamlessly. If you want to read more about the book check out what Publishers weekly said on their review.
There are so many lessons in this book to take and apply while reading
1. Talk to your children about meals, get their input on what to eat.
2. Take them shopping with you, let them help you with the list and point out prices.
3. Let children help you in the kitchen! OK I know this one is hard at times when you're rushing to get meals done and kids off to their sports or bed, but when possible let children help you cook.
4. Chores. I mentioned in Benny's Pennies about how we took that book and started chores to earn money, and how kids like to help. Something as simple as setting the table gives them responsibility and lets the be involved.
5. Talk about the routine of your day. For older kids you can have them tell you what Corey's routine is.
Dads have a way to make everything seem fun, and Anna Hines made the dad in this book comical, and never dull, representing everything a father figure should be.
We have a little time still before Father's Day so if you're looking for a book for your children to share with their dad, or to give as a new father's day gift, or an announcement I'd recommend this one
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And don't forget to share with Dad why he is the best! (Link back to I Love You More Than Rainbows for some ideas)
I hope all the great, silly, fun-loving, entertaining dads out there have a wonderful Father's Day. Before I leave I want to leave you with a couple articles that praise father's and show why we celebrate dads and how important father figures are:
The Important Role of Dad
Why Kids Need Their Dad
Gift ideas for Dad:
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