Bobblehead Dad: 25 Life Lessons I Forgot I Knew [Paperback]

Jim Higley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2011

An inspirational account of one dad's extraordinary journey through cancer, fatherhood, and several forgotten life lessons--and the discovery of one life-changing gift
 
Jim Higley was a forty-year-old bobblehead. Just like those collectible figurines with oversized, bouncy heads, he'd put on a smiling face and bobble through his hectic, overflowing days.
 
Higley's bobbling came to a screeching halt with the diagnosis of cancer, surgery, and a summer of healing. More than a cancer story, however, Bobblehead Dad puts you in a front row seat as the author discovers the illuminating parallels between events in his childhood and his adulthood. Higley, whose weekly fatherhood column appears in the Chicago Tribune's TribLocal, unwraps poignant lessons from his family history with rich, vivid detail. His story reveals meaning in simple moments and the people who fill them--including the surprise discovery of his most important lesson, which had been quietly waiting for over thirty years.
 
Written in an informal but eloquent style, Bobblehead Dad keeps you laughing, crying and--most importantly--thinking. Higley's distinctive storytelling rhythm, combined with a knack for handling heavy topics with an embraceable voice, quickly draws you into his experiences--while launching you on your own journey of self-discovery and reflection.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Thoughtful and honest, the author provides solid advice on how to be introspective, unearth life lessons from childhood and apply them as an adult.

--Kirkus Book Reviews

(Five Stars out of Five)
I found myself totally engrossed in the book and hardly noticed the time going by. At the end, ...I was sorry that it was over and felt that I had a made a new friend.

--About.Com Guide- Fatherhood (Wayne Parker)

2011 Winner of an International Book Award as a Finalist in the category Health: Cancer--International Book Awards --International Book Awards

Readers will embrace, mourn, delight in and admire what Bobblehead Dad has to offer. --ForeWord Reviews

...what I appreciated most about this book was that it made me think. And it made me think about things I don't often think about because I too, am often "bobbling" around from one hectic day to another. --BookDads

2011 Winner of an International Book Award as a Finalist in the category Health: Cancer

''Thoughtful and honest, the author provides solid advice on how to be introspective, unearth life lessons from childhood and apply them as an adult.'' --Kirkus Book Reviews

(Five Stars out of Five)
''I found myself totally engrossed in the book and hardly noticed the time going by. At the end, ...I was sorry that it was over and felt that I had a made a new friend. --Wayne Parker, About.Com Guide - Fatherhood

''Higley writes with a sweet, sincere humility. Readers will embrace, mourn, delight in and admire what Bobblehead Dad has to offer. Not knowing whether he'll live one year or fifty, Higley makes the present count for everything. There's much to learn from his particular brand of survival.'' --ForeWord Reviews

From the Inside Flap

"'Funny,' 'witty,' and 'entertaining' are not words people typically use to describe a story about cancer. But Bobblehead Dad isn't just about being sick. It's about the joy of living and discovering who you are, where you came from, and ultimately, where you want to be."
 -Tracy Beckerman, syndicated humor columnist "Lost in Suburbia," and author of
Rebel without a Minivan.
 
"Jim Higley's soul-stirring memories of his Nebraska childhood strengthened him during his struggle with cancer. His life lessons are poignant, rich and oh-so-genuine. The healing is real."
- Suzette Martinez Standring, Syndicated columnist,Award winning Author, The Art of Column Writing
 
"The lessons that can be learned from Jim's courageous and beautiful story are invaluable.  His touching words will evoke gratitude and push you to become a better person."
-Melinda Marchiano, Author and International Book Award Winner, Grace: A Child's Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery
 
"Why wait for that 'smack on the head' to wake up and enjoy the precious moments of life? I highly recommend Bobbblehead Dad to any who loves a page turner! The pictures tell thousands more words!"
-Wade Rouse, Best-selling author of At Least in the City Someone Would Hear Me Scream and It's All Relative

"Jim is an insightful and passionate storyteller who has written the new 'must read.' In a unique 'bridging the time-space continuum' style, Jim's book is a reflection, an inspiration, an entertaining and heartfelt read that is hard to put down. I heartily recommend it!"
-Sandra Gehring, Emmy Award winning author of Breaking Your Own News
 
"Jim writes about how to find life in the nooks and crannies of everyday existence. He reminds us not to wait for an emergency to live--he reminds us not to wait for anything. Best of all, he shows us how."
-Jason Seiden, author of Beyond Social

"Jim Higley invites others to look more closely at the positive pivotal aspects of challenging life experiences by humorously and courageously sharing intimate insights from his own. Throughout this beautiful book, readers will discover the liberation and empowerment derived from uncovering the hidden gems in both the everyday and unexpected leading them to their own journey of illumination."
- Annie Burnside, Author of Soul to Soul Parenting
 
"As an empty-head dad, I highly recommend 'Bobblehead Dad.' Jim Higley writes with warmth, humor, and optimism. He's also a great guy. Buy his book or I will come over to your house and drink all your beer."
- Jerry Zezima, Syndicated humor columnist for The Stamford Advocate and author of Leave It to Boomer

"Bobblehead Dad isn't a story about cancer so much as it is the story of a man who faced cancer-and way too much of it for just one family. You'll fall in love with Jim Higley the child, and root for Jim Higley, the dad with cancer. Bobblehead Dad is a delightfully soothing read for any parent who has steered a family through difficult times."
- Jen Singer, moderator, ParentingWithCancer.com, and author of You're a Good Mom (and Your Kids Aren't So Bad EIther)
 

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 201 pages
• Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group Press (June 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1608321428
• ISBN-13: 978-1608321421
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 0.7 x 5.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,156,224 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jim Higley is the Bobblehead Dad--writer, speaker, life observer, and cancer warrior. He is the inaugural winner of the "World's Greatest Dad" Challenge, a nationwide contest sponsored by Procter & Gamble Production's Man of the House magazine. Higley's weekly fatherhood column, "Bobblehead Dad," is published in the Chicago Tribune's TribLocal. He is also a featured contributor for other national online publications, including The Good Men Project and Man of the House. His favorite role, however, is being "Dad" to his three kids. Visit the book's Facebook Page at "Bobblehead Dad" or www.BobbleheadDad.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Connection May 26, 2011

By Julia DuPree

Format:Paperback

This book sparkles with gems of insight and humor, but what struck me most was the message of connectivity. Higley's adult experiences are made richer by their juxtaposition to his childhood memories. His style is captivating, and shortly into the book I found myself reflecting on past events and people in my life, and how they inform my every "today". And yes, by making my "todays" purposeful, my tomorrows will be richer. The form of my days is not always of my choosing, but the details that fill them are.
No matter where you come from or what your experiences, you will finish this book feeling a personal connection with Bobblehead Dad. P.S. My husband read it non-stop, so I had to wait till he finished it to get my turn!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Bobblehead Life Lessons May 23, 2011

By Mary Clauss

Format:Paperback

Bobblehead Dad reminds us of how we should be living our lives. It teaches us to remember the good in others and forgive the mistakes. It certainly helped me put my own life in perspective, after losing my mom, and then my brother to cancer. This is a great gift for anyone who needs to slow down and put life into perspective.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful, Funny and Touching - A Must Read! May 22, 2011

By Magpie

Format:Paperback

This very entertaining and poignant read will have everyone reflecting with nostalgia on their childhood and thinking about their future. Jim shares his memories of childhood, some funny and some very touching, with refreshing honesty and candor. As he connects those early experiences with his struggles to balance his "grown-up" life as a father, business man and cancer warrior, the reader can't help but make connections within their own lives. It is a much needed wake-up call for all of us to examine our lives, remember where we came from and think about how that has shaped who we are today and, more importantly, who we still want to be. I loved this book!