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Research shows that children with an involved father are much more likely to do well in school and life. By offering guidance, support, and unconditional love, a father can significantly improve his child's self-esteem and ability to do well emotionally, socially, physically and academically.

Father's Day is the perfect opportunity to honor the critical role fathers play in children's development and to celebrate the special bond between a father and a child. We've pulled together a few resources to direct you to some of the latest trends and research on fathering and tips on how to be a great dad:

Understanding Fatherhood

• Father for Life: A Journey of Joy, Challenge, and Change; by Armin Brott
  A guidebook on the phases of fatherhood from the author of Expectant Father and the New Father series, who is also host of "Positive Parenting," a weekly radio program which airs in the San Francisco Bay Area, Washington, DC, and a number of other markets. He's also written for numerous publications including for The New York Times Magazine, Newsweek, American Baby, Parenting, Child, Men's Health, and The Washington Post, and does a twice-weekly podcast called "DaddyCast."
• FatherNeed: Why Father Care Is as Essential as Mother Care for Your Child; by Kyle D. Pruett
  From the author of The Nurturing Father, this book examines the role of fathers in various family situations, including everything from families with two working parents to families where the father is a single parent and primary caregiver to families from a variety of cultures. Pruett studied psychiatry at Yale Medical School and is a well-known columnist who emphasizes in this book the importance of fathers in the healthy development of their children.
• The Role of the Father in Child Development; by Michael E. Lamb (Editor)
  This book compiles research from experts from around the world on the role of fathers in child development. It includes information on topics such as: the development of father-child relationships, gay fathers, the effects of divorce on fathers and children, fathers in violent and neglectful families, cross-cultural issues of fatherhood, and more.
• Throwaway Dads: The Myths and Barriers That Keep Men from Being the Fathers They Want to Be; by Ross Parke and Armin Brott
  Old stereotypes about dads are starting to disappear, but people aren't sure what to believe or expect. This book is about breaking down the barriers men must confront to become good fathers, and suggests new ways in which men, women, and our culture can view this role, with the hope that collectively we can raise happier, healthier kids.

Kids Books about Dads (as recommended by the Seattle Public Library)

• The Very Best Daddy of All; by Marion Dane Bauer
  From finding food for hungry babies to comforting crying children, daddies of all kinds show their love in a variety of ways in this charming picture book. A songbird father sings his chicks awake, a papa penguin secures his young for the night, and a gorilla daddy lovingly combs his baby's hair. As the story concludes, a human child and father appear, and the child declares, "From all of the daddies, / tall or small, / mine is the best, / the very best daddy of all." Kirkus Reviews calls this "a beautiful celebration of fathers of all species."
• My Dad; by Anthony Browne
  "He's all right, my dad." With this simple introduction, a young narrator recounts the things that make his dad so special-while the illustrations show his pajama- and bathrobe-clad father gamely (and amusingly) showing off those much-admired qualities: among other feats, he can eat like a horse and swim like a fish, he's strong as a gorilla and skilled at soccer, he can wrestle with giants, and he isn't afraid of anything. The child concludes, "I love my dad. And you know what? He loves me! (And he always will.)" According to Kirkus Reviews, this "sweet-natured celebration of Dad in all his infinite variety...has family favorite written all over it."
• Papa, Do You Love Me?; by Barbara M. Joosse; illustrated by Barbara Lavallee
  "Papa, do you love me?" a young Maasai boy asks. "I love you more than the warrior loves to leap," his father replies, "more than the bush baby loves the moon, more than the elder loves his stories." From the author of the popular Mama, Do You Love Me? comes another tale of parental love, this time vividly set in the exotic plains of Africa. Children will enjoy the animal-filled pictures, the gentle introduction to Masaai culture, and of course, the calm affirmations of boundless love. School Library Journal writes, "Parents will snatch up this tender, reassuring book for bedtime read-alouds."
• What Dads Can't Do; by Douglas Wood; illustrated by Doug Cushman
  According to the little green dinosaur who narrates this affectionate story, there are "things that regular people can do but dads can't." In fact, "it's a wonder they make it through life at all!" For instance, dads can't cross the street without holding hands or play hide-and-seek without getting found (of course, the book's illustrations reveal how Dad's "weaknesses" are really some of his greatest parenting strengths). "And most of all," the son concludes, "whatever happens, a dad never stops loving you." With "just the right blend of sassiness and sentiment" (Publishers Weekly), this story is sure to be a hit with both kids and their parents.

Online fathering resources:

• Conscious Fathering: A Guide for Expectant Fathers, published by ParentTrust for Washington Children
• National Center for Fathering - founded by Dr. Ken R. Canfield, a well-known author and consultant who served as one of the founding members of former Vice President Al Gore's private-sector "Father to Father" Initiative; and was awarded the 1993 Father of theYear by the National Congress for Men and Children.
• National Child Care Information Center - A national clearinghouse and technical assistance center linking parents, providers, policy-makers, researchers, and the public to early care and education information. Contains a wealth of information on fatherhood including the following research documents:
  • Promoting Responsible Fatherhood through Child Care (2004)
  • Hispanic Fathers and Family Literacy: Strengthening Achievement in Hispanic Communities (December 2000)
  • A Call to Commitment: Fathers' Involvement in Children's Learning (June 2000)
  • Sustaining and Growing Father Involvement for Low-Income Children (December 2005)
• National Fatherhood Initiative - Offers a wide range of resources, including a public service advertising campaign, to assist fathers and organizations interested in supporting fathers. To reach them by phone, call 1-800-790-DADS.

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