Every day I discover more and more beautiful things. It’s enough to drive one mad. I have such a desire to do everything, my head is bursting with it.
- Claude Monet
Dad Suggests was created to share with others the many different things that we have loved sharing with our own children.
Our hope is that - by reading or visiting our children’s bookstore - you will find something special to enjoy with your own family.
- Ryan
Should you let your kids win in a game of skill? Is it better parenting to do your best when playing against your children, or to go easy on them? Have you ever had a despondent child state that they don’t want to play a game anymore because they never win? What should a parent do?
These are our very favorite picture books with life lessons. The best picture books take incredibly important life lessons and isolate them down into a completely accessible, beautiful, compact work of art. They expose children to new thoughts and feelings and allow them to process it at their own level.
Pink is for Boys is a picture book by Robb Pearlman that throws absurd societal norms about colors out the window. It also teaches equality among boys and girls - the activities they're allowed to do and the things they're allowed to like. This is a picture book you simply must share with your kids.
Mole Rats in Space - a cooperative family board game by Matt Leacock and Peaceable Kingdom - definitely inspires us to use our imagination and do a little role playing. These mole rats are in space? We better put on our astronaut costume!
These are the very best picture books of all time. These amazing stories provide me with feelings like hope, feelings like love, and feelings like terror. It is a parent's noble honor to help a child experience magic like this during their childhood, and these kids books will help.
These are the best riddles for kids. Riddles and jokes are naturally appealing to kids. They're like little puzzles for their imagination that can boost their confidence and allow them to explore being silly with language for the first time.
These are the very best scary picture books for kids. Making a legitimately spooky picture book that's still suitable for kids is not necessarily an easy task. Nor is it always easy to find picture books for kids that actually enjoy being a little scared. But the books on this list bring legitimate frights for your family.
Julia's House for Lost Creatures is a picture book by Ben Hatke that had me sold on the title page. You can immediately tell that this is going to be a story full of fantasy and heart - and that it’s going to be beautiful.
Pee-wee’s Playhouse stands the test of time and remains a television show that you should absolutely still share with your kids today. Pee-wee’s sincerity and passion shine through - much like it did with the wonderful Mister Rogers.
Is it bad parenting to let your kids play with smartphones during dinner? Is it okay to occupy them with screens in public when they are bored and potentially disruptive? It’s certainly common practice these days, but are there drawbacks?
This is Sadie by Sara O’Leary is a triumphant celebration of the child’s imagination. It’s one of our very favorite picture books. The artwork by Julie Morstad really stands out during the series of beautiful pages celebrating famous children's literature.
Bloxels is a combination of block building and video game creation for kids. This is an amazing toy for kids with lots of creativity and imagination on display - and the sense of pride and wonder they have when they play their very own video game is very special to see.
The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig and illustrated by Patrice Barton is a picture book about reaching out to someone who needs a friend. It is a masterclass example of empathy, and it should be in every home, library, and classroom in the world.
Iello’s King of Tokyo is one of those rare family board games that are legitimately enjoyed by the entire family. Not only can younger children and older children play together, but parents will just as happily play this game without their kids. Look no further, Godzilla fans, this is your perfect board game.
The Dark by Lemony Snicket and Jon Klassen is the perfect scary picture book. It can be quite useful in facing your fears of the dark - and it’s far and away one of our favorite picture books of all time.
My Neighbor Totoro is a film that should be shared with every child. The artwork in all of Miyazaki's films is second-to-none. The stories are heartwarming and exploding with love and imagination and the innocence of childhood.
Magnus’ Kingdom of Chess is the best app for introducing your kids to the basics of chess. Your children will internalize how all of the pieces move simply by playing this engaging RPG. By the end of the game they’ll have practiced their checkmates and be ready for a complete game.
Race to the Treasure! by Peaceable Kingdom definitely belongs in that elusive category of games made for kids that parents legitimately enjoy playing too. It also happens to be a fantastic introduction to strategy for your children. And, since it was our son’s first game, we’ll certainly have fond memories of it forever.
