Since my son is only 6 months, we're pretty much limited to board books that rhyme right now. I think some weeks he gets half his fiber from the library. But I'm always looking for books that we might get at the library, since we go there every Friday, to audition for the permanent collection. So if you ahve any recommendations for the 6-12 month crowd, spill it.<br><br>But then I was inspired by an interview on NPR where a fellow waiting in the early voting line in Columbus, OH (IO!) was reading Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book. My wife and I both cheered loudly in the car when we heard that. I think it needs as much plugging as it can get. It's a wonderfully written story that is broken up enough to read to a child or let them read at their own pace. There are splendid drawings that help paint the imagination, but not with too many details. What I like the most about it though is that it is scary without being terrifying. The threat is enough removed from reality that children aren't likely to spin the plot back around themselves. That is unless they are orphans, raised by ghosts, in a graveyard, in England.<br><br>You can actually sample the whole book because Neil Gaiman's American book tour was simply a series of stops where he'd read a chapter on stage and then the video was put online for everyone to see. So you might listen to chapter 1 and decide if it's something you (and your kids) might like.<br><br>Here's where that video reading begins.<br><br>Even with that, I'd still buy the book or get it from the library. It's a good read.<br><br>The Graveyard Book is recommended for Independent Readers which I think means that they can figure out words for themselves. What is that? Third Grade?

This is a topic my wife and I are passionate about. We've been cramming books down our daughters throat since the first day she could sit up on her own. And it has paid off. She LOVES her books. Reads 'em at home, at school, in the car, and at bedtime. We have books sprinkled throughout the home AND car so she can peruse them whenever she feels the urge (not just at bedtime).<br><br>In the 6-12 month age range, she was really into what I call catalog books. These are basically books that just show brightly colored pictures of objects (no words). It was a great way to build her receptive vocabulary. Eventually she could point to the objects after we said the word. IMO, books at this age are not about words on the page, they are about pictures and receptive vocabularly. Reading a book primarily consists of pointing at objects and saying their names.<br><br>There are also some books that contain various textures the baby can touch. These were a big hit with our daughter, also. Pop out books were a hit, too (even if easily destroyed).<br><br>Beyond the 12 month age, we got into things like colors, shapes and ......books with actual words...including rhyming stories. One of the more interesting books I've seen is a book full of babies with different expressions on their face (sad, happy, crying, etc...). Our daughter loves this book, and particularly likes to carefully examine the page of crying babies with very intent seriousness. I'm not an educator, but I've got to believe that this book is good for developing her social intelligence.<br><br>We also bough a large book full of pictures of dogs for our daughter. I consider that to be the equivalent of People Magazine for toddlers.....i.e. vapid but satisfying...<br><br>So I guess my bottom line suggestion is to to purchase a large quantify of books, spread them throughout the house so they are always available, and do not worry about reading words from a book at this age (just picture books for now).<br><br>Also FYI....my wife started coming home from Target with bags and bags of books which she claimed cost only $1 each in the discount bins.

At this young age, the books should be pretty small and easy for the kids to grab. Also, depending on how old, the story itself may need to be kept short so that it keeps there attention.<br><br>I also have gone down the path of starting to buy the Dollar Store & Target $1 books. Those are some of Tyler's favorite's! (Go figure.) I do spend money on some of the classics like Dr.Seuss, Goodnight Moon, etc.<br><br>Storytime is our favorite time together.<br><br>Also, you may want to look into some of the Leap Pad electronic books for playtime. They really are great & they help them learn a lot while they think they're playing with a toy. We got Tyler's when he was about 6 months old & we still use it 1.5 years later.

When your children get a little older, I would have to recommend the pigeon books by Mo Willems. Very funny and highly interactive, especially 'the pigeon wants to drive the bus'.

Thanks for the recommendations. I read Bea one of my favorites this morning - Go, Dog, Go.<br><br>Do you like my hat?<br><br>I do not like that hat.<br><br>Good-by. Good-by.

The Graveyard Book won the Newbery Award yesterday. That puts it in good company for children's books.

Sounds like a good book, I may have to get this one for myself.

Start with the video book tour and see what you've been missing.<br><br>My wife and I both loved the book. It's much scarier for adults than kids. Kids don't get the references to much more dangerous beings.

Hi,<br><br>My 5 month old likes the usborne touchy feely book range<br><br>www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw_8_4?url=se...br><br>They are nice and colorful and have different textures. I think they will also have a good time span as he can still enjoy them at later years when he can read by himself.<br><br>They are also a good size, and he will hold them himself sometimes while I read them.

We're big fans of anything by Sandra Boynton. Our daughter is 20 months old and has been having them read to her since birth. The real advantage that I have felt is that most of her songs are so sing-songy that they have actual songs available too! (Barnyard Dance and Snuggle Puppy are my two favorites, but the newer Personal Penguin is good stuff too)<br><br>Sean might think his wife is playing tricks on him, but Target really does keep three or four children's books in rotation in the $1 section. They are not the best of books sometimes (the colors were very off in one we got) but they usually get the point across. We've picked up books on the cheap about manners, bedtime and states, just to show how varied they are. It's not like they're reading novels at this age, so I put up with color issues and such.<br><br>I'm continually amazed at the things that she's finally showing she has been learning.<br><br>(I'm also a fan of Rainbow Rob, but mostly because it's my name. It's a great color and texture book, too!)

We're big fans of Sandra Boynton too!<br><br>Whatta small world, Rob... Dede picked up that Manners Matter book over at Target for $1 and I hafta admit that I've grown kinda fond of li'l Morton Moose.<br><br>We've gotten a lot of mileage out of Elizabeth Verdick's Teeth Are Not For Biting. And we have several Sesame Street books that our little guy likes a lot too.

Hey dads, got a topic for you sparked in part by my unborn son and my somewhat jerk of a father. I recently noticed I have become very bitter toward my father, who was pretty decent when I was little but has done very little to maintain a relationship with me as a man. I am so bitter now that I have refused to answer any of his calls, the last of which was about 5 minutes ago. I haven't listened to the message yet and I'm dreading it. He'll ask why I haven't called, maybe even be a little upset about it, and pretend nothing was ever wrong between us.<br><br>I guess it's my fault for not really coming clean. My sister does not talk to him whatsoever. He ruined their relationship years ago. I don't really want to go into other reasons I am bitter, but he just wasn't always the greatest dad. I can remember family vacations spent with my mom and dad yelling at each other, my mom being the only parent who came to my band concerts, and other events along those lines.<br><br>In talking with many guy friends my age, the majority are in my boat - they don't have a great relationship with their fathers. I find very few with good relationships. No matter what their status is, though, they assure me that at some point my son will not like me. Okay, fine. But I am damn sure it won't be because I wasn't there for my son, or that I did not love him with every fiber of my being. I am a world apart from my dad. I was raised mostly by my mom and grandmother. So I can rest comfortably that my values are far from his. Family is my most important priority.<br><br>I have told him before some of how I feel. But with my sister already not speaking to him at all, I am afraid to crush the rest of his world by telling him -- look, I don't really think you are a great (or even a good) dad. Besides, I haven't seen him in about 3 years and we only talk minimally on the phone. He says he wants to be a part of my son's life. Yeah right.<br><br>Luckily, my wife's father is great and he'll be a good grandfather figure for my son. That's not my concern. I don't really know where I'm going with the advice question, but if anyone has anything to offer, or would like to share their own experiences, I am all ears.<br><br>Thanks, dads.

I have a good relationship with my father. We don't really hang out regularly or anything, but we're best buds when compared to your situation. My eldest bro does not have a good relationship with him, and they hardly speak, and that's only if they happen to be at the same gathering for my kid. My dad is constantly reaching out and calling, only to be ignored by my brother. The bitterness is strong with him, and I can understand... I was witness to many of his reasons. But he's an adult now, and that was a very long time ago. Pops is old and is re-evaluating his life... there are things he screwed up and he sincerely wants to not have a son hate him.<br><br>This will be much easier said than done, but I'm willing to bet many will agree...<br><br>Look past your feelings for your son. (not sayin' forget them) But don't let your lack of a suitable relationship ruin the CHANCE for a relationship for your son and his grandfather. Hopefully, as an old man, your father is seeing the error of his ways (but is not likely to own up or apologize, or any of that mushy stuff) and is trying to move on the best way he can, by pretending there is a clean slate and trying to be a better person. And from what I can tell, from my own father's relationship with my brother, that's just how that generation of dudes does it.<br><br>If there is a chance for your son to have a joyous relationship with him, then I say don't impede it. I think I'd have to make it clear that it's for him, and not your relationship, but don't deny that chance. I suspect my son will have a much better relationship with my Dad than I do. And I don't have a bad relationship. It's a completely different thing.<br><br>All that being said... Your somewhat jerk of a father might not be able to rise above being a real asshat and deserve nothing more than shunning by everyone... Then you could say you tried, but he's an ass and doesn't deserve that relationship. But, it sounds like maybe he knows and wants to prevent that from happening with the next generation... Wouldn't you want to go out knowing SOMEBODY will miss you...<br><br>(Disclaimer: Not trying to discredit or blow off your feelings in any way shape or form man. No doubt they are warranted. I'm sure it's a tough situation and not exactly comfortable asking for comments from strangers. And, what the hell do I know? Good luck!)

For you, right now is the time for evaluating your relationship with your dad. I think a lot of expecting fathers go through this. You are thinking about the kind of dad you want to be, so naturally you think first of your own dad. You evaluate the job he's done, and you try to learn from that. Whether they were good or bad, our fathers are available to teach us something. If we are going to be good dads, it's important that we take that lesson to heart. It sounds like that is exactly what you are doing. Good work, there.<br><br>I'm with Nik that you might want to give the old man a chance when it comes to playing grandpa. Children change us, parents and grandparents alike. They can work magic. You never know what your child may find or awaken in your father. It's also been shown pretty conclusively that awareness of and interaction with extended family has a very positive developmental impact on kids. For what it's worth...

I think it's wonderful that you are committed to be a present dad because that is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children. I also agree with Nik and Daddy Clay that age, life experiences, and having a grandchild may change the way your dad is able to interact with you and his grandson. I tend to be of the let by gones be by gones mentality (mostly because I'm the one who needs to be cut the most slack) My two cents comes from watching this occur in my own family, if there are things that need to be said, say them and move on before it's too late to say them. Regrets are hard to live with if they can never be put to rest.

My relationship with my Dad is ok I guess. There is definitely some unresolved negative feelings between us I think, and I'm dealing with some severe bitterness about the things I would like to do differently in raising a child than my Father. The hardest thing for me when it comes to this has been my decision to separate my feelings about my Dad from the joy I see in him about being a Papa. There is a lot of avoidance on both our parts. I don't call him, and he doesn't call me. But things are civil enough when we get together at family functions, and that appears to be where are relationship will stay for the time being.<br><br>My Dad is excited to be a Grandfather, and no matter what I am feeling about his and my relationship, it has nothing to do with the opportunity my future child should have to know him. If it's something my kid enjoys I will never have a problem taking the ride to visit Papa. I have a lot a great memories of my Grandpa growing up. And I know now that it was during a time of similar uneasiness between my Dad and my Grandpa. Knowing that has made it easier for me to look past some of my feelings.<br><br>I don't presume to think that you and your father could become closer through his relationship with your son (congratulations by the way), but I have noticed that the few times my Dad and I talk on the phone, we do have great conversations about how the ultrasounds are going, and how my wife is feeling, and progressing. It's like a new dynamic of our father/son relationship that I never really saw coming. As we get closer to the due date here I'm becoming more willing to accept the fact that maybe my Dad and I have just reached a new area where there is no going back to resolve anything, there is just a mutual truce I guess, and it's centered around providing the healthiest family environment for the child. Which is the most important goal here. Maybe that's good enough for now. We'll see I guess, but like you, I will do what's best for my kid(s). No matter how uncomfortable I may be, if it benefits him/her, I'm in.<br><br>I wish you the best of luck, and congratulations again!

Oh, wow. Can of worms, meet can opener...<br><br>I detest the way my father chose to parent. He only once, to my recollection, bothered to try to be a real parent - Prom Night. He gave me the old be home by 11 routine. I think that was the day that clinched my just-short-of-hatred for him.<br><br>The good news for me is that he didn't have to be my parent - his parents took on that responsibilty. I regard my grandfather as possibly the biggest hero of my life.<br><br>But, that does not exclude my relationship with my actual father from being examined. I live just north of DC and my father lives 15 hours away in central Florida. He's lived there for at least five years and I have not made any effort to visit. He has come up here, and when he does it's awkward and not pleasant for anyone, so he goes out to visit other folks - mostly family, but not me. When he was here at Thanksgiving he chose to stay at our house. At first it was planned for five days. Then four. That became three. In the end, they stayed at our house for 36 hours, and most of that was sleeping or dinner at my aunt's house. He made his choice.<br><br>I think that the key for my peace of mind is that I let him make that choice. I am very good at forgiving and forgetting (actually, I've blocked out the first eleven years of my life) but I figured that I should see how his dynamic would change when I had a daughter. So far all I have seen is one trip forced by his wife (step-mom), one paid for by my grandfather, and the thanksgiving trip referenced above. He's made his choice, and that's fine.

Thinking it's a matter of reflection that comes at old age. Sometimes crummy dads turn old and feel like they're missing out on something because of their own crumminess. So without trying to acknowledge it, they want to make up for lost time by being a little better with the grandkids. Maybe when he was a new dad, he didn't have the resources we do and the circumstances which he was under were not conducive to perpetual awesomedadness. It doesn't really make up for lost time but in the grand scheme of things, having a little family quality time under those conditions are better than not having them at all. You're dad is older and although I don't want to make up any excuses for him, he may not be around long enough for you two to hash things out. Time is now and you should take advantage of it.

I think all of these answers are great. I can call him and talk. Beyond that, though, I don't see things changing much. I feel like after our son's arrival, it'll be pretty much the same. Phone calls, but no visits. I kind of draw from my wedding as the crystal ball here. He showed up AFTER the ceremony, missing the wedding completely. He was drunk, and came to the back of the chapel where the wedding party gathered. I told him to go to the reception hall. He went, using that as a tool to try to get my sister to ask my mom some questions and also to try to get her to talk to him. He left the reception about five minutes after my wife and I got there and dinner had started. He missed out on one of the most important days of my life, and I just think things will stay the same. Am I hurt? Yes, but it's been years since I've really thought about all of this. I'm in a good place to move on with my emotions, but I can give him the opportunity to be in my son's life. Once he chooses (and I think the answer will come fairly soon) then I can know I've done my part.

...now I know why my male friendships have been so important to me, especially in college and in my adult life.

You may love him or hate him, but the truth is you only get one in life and life is too short to harbor grudges.

As many people have mentioned I think you should at least give your dad a chance. If it turns out to be just phone calls and no visits and he stops caring then it is his fault that things went bad and you can say you gave it a chance. When it is all said and done there may be hurt feelings on your part for at least not trying to make your dad a part of your son's life.<br><br>I was lucky as I got older with the relationship with my dad. I would say my dad and I have a good relationship. My dad and my brother also have a good relationship, which is good. It actually didn't necessarily start out that way. Up until 7th grade or so I would say it was hard to get him to events that we were in. He was a welder and in charge of his own shop so he spent a lot of time with that. Then his dad died and it kind of flicked a switch and he tried to do everything to be part of our life. He still worked hard at what he did, but he gave more time to get to what we were doing. It was actually really nice.<br><br>I would just give him a chance so you don't regret it later. He may not have the best relationship with you, but at least give him a chance and if he screws up he screws up, but he had a chance.

I had one of those absentee dads most of the time when I was growing up. He'd show up for awhile, grow weary of the responsibilities and grind of family life, and hit the bricks again for months at a time, leaving Mom holding the bag. So ours has always been a distant and mostly uncomfortable relationship.<br><br>Dad came for a visit a couple of years after my wife & I were married and we were happy to have had time to prep a guest room all nice for him. But I had a nasty respiratory infection the week he came, so I was not up for a lot of getting up & out of the house. Dad got restless (and maybe a little ticked off) and headed out the door for a newspaper. I haven't seen or spoken to him since - about 10 years.<br><br>Last year was a biggie with adopting our son and Mom passing away just a couple of weeks later. This is heady stuff that makes you turn to all sorts of family thoughts, childhood memories, long-gone relatives, and your own longevity. All of this weighed on me very heavily for months.<br><br>A few weeks ago, I finally summoned up the gumption to call Dad. He has, after all, never even seen or spoken to his (only) new grandson. It was a tense 20-30 minutes, but in the days afterwards, I've felt much more at ease. I thought I had made the call for his sake, but now I'm not so sure - I've come to realize that maybe I had selfish motivations. The time for Dad to be of much direct value to me has passed and he'll never figure largely in my son's life either but at least now, when Dad passes away, I'll know that made an effort and maybe I can dodge some of the things not said regrets that Mom's sudden passing left behind. So, I suppose my point is to do what you can, not for your father's sake, but for your own peace of mind.

Here's a good book that recommends a ton of books and breaks it down by age group. It also goes over the importance of reading to you children

Read-Aloud-Handbook by Jim TreleaseRead-Aloud-Handbook-Sixth-Jim-Trelease

Here is a great list of recommended children's books from Publisher's Weekly. You could do all your birthday and Christmas shopping just with this list and Amazon -- be done in about an hour.