Originally Posted By WDWdreamin In trying to find books with positive father figures, other than To Kill A Mockingbird, I'm coming up short. To give you the whole picture, my brother might be getting a divorce soon. He has two daughters (9 and 6). His wife (and her relatives who live near them) are sometimes very "men are bad" in their thinking. We live far from them, but I would like to do something to counteract that. I mean, my brother is a really sweet guy, with no more flaws than the next person, and they shouldn't think he's bad. But also, I don't want my nieces to think all guys are jerks because that will cause a lot of damage. All this is why I put this in community instead of general entertainment, but if the mods want to move it, that's okay by me. After many hours of searching I found: Fly Away Home, Because of Winn Dixie, The Penderwicks, A Crooked Kind of Perfect, and Nim's Island. I've never read any of them, so I'm not sure. Anyone else read them? Movies I found (besides To Kill A Mockingbird) included: My Girl, Mrs. Doubtfire, Father of the Bride, Mulan, Casper, Fly Away Home, and Finding Nemo. Any thoughts? Any book recommendations?
Originally Posted By WDWdreamin And the nine-year-old is an avid reader. She has read all the Harry Potter books by herself now. I'm still not sure when is the best time for some books (one issue of not having kids of your own). I read To Kill a Mochingbird at 13, and I think it was deep for me.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo How about the Little House on the Prairie books? Or for movies, It's a Wonderful Life?
Originally Posted By WDWdreamin Ah, I never read them. That's a good suggestion. Wonderful Life too. Thanks!
Originally Posted By Liberty Belle Funny, when I read your title thread I was going to say "To Kill a Mockingbird!" - then I read the first line... I've read part of Nim's Island and I think it would be a good one. I'm coming up short on other suggestions sorry, but will keep thinking and let you know if I come up with anything.
Originally Posted By Princessjenn5795 I have a twelve year old step-daughter and a nine year old son. All of the ones you have found are good. To Kill a Mockingbird may be a bit above the 9 year olds level...it isn't that it is hard to read, but the concepts are a little much for a nine year old. I would suggest Little Women- even though the dad is not actually present in the first part of the book, he is a strong and influential presence for his girls. The sequels, Little Men and Jo's Boys, are good too. Swiss Family Robinson is good. Your younger niece would probably like Stuart Little. Those are all I can think of off the top of my head, but I will take a look at my kids' bookshelves later and see if I can find anything else for you.
Originally Posted By TXDISNEYNERD It has been a long time since I read any, but when I was around 10 I always had a Nancy Drew Mystery book in my hand and if memory serves me correctly (I'm over 40 so it is questionable these days lol), her Dad was a pretty good influence on her.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORGOCH: I's surprised nobody's thought 'bout Gepedaphile from Pinocci-yo-yo!
Originally Posted By EmmaJayne A little princess.. The movie not the book.. Her dad is absent a lot but it's all about how much she misses him while he is at war and has a very happy ending ( again not the book. Although I like the book better, not for this use) The Little Mermaid. Look what King Triton does for Ariel. Hannah Montanna it's all about the dad..
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan The late NBC Newsman Tim Russert's "Wisdom of Our Fathers" is a great book. It's a collection of short anecdotes Tim Russert received in response to the book he wrote about his own dad (Big Russ and Me). People share stories about lessons they learned from their fathers (perseverance, courage, compassion, etc.) Good stuff!
Originally Posted By WDWdreamin Those are good books to give a nine-year-old? Anyway, thank you for the suggestions!
Originally Posted By LPFan22 I also recommend the Little House on the Prairie books. In the stories, Pa is a good man.
Originally Posted By Tikiduck How about The Yearling, by Marjory Kinnan Rawlings? Fantastic book about a young boy who raises a deer fawn on a Florida homestead in the 1800's. Also a very well done movie from 1946, with Gregory Peck as the father, the same guy who played Atticus Finch in Mockingbird. As far as a positive father figure, the Yearling presents one of the best ever in print. Highly recommended!
