Father to Daughter: Life Lessons on Raising a Girl [Paperback]

Harry H. Harrison Jr. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 2003

As a former boy, a father immediately understands why his son builds a tower of blocks, calls it a boom crane, and then knocks it down. But why does his daughter build the same tower, call it an ice-cream cone, and then offer a taste? As Harry Harrison, author of the chunky little bestseller Father to Son, would suggest, fathers of daughters should simply enjoy that imaginative treat, and every other she's likely to dream up.

Filled with short, sweet, inspirational words of wisdom, Father to Daughter is a book of guidance for Dads on loving, shaping-and learning to comprehend-their inscrutable little girls. Divided into stages from infancy on up, it offers a pithy lesson on every page. Helpful reassurance: Tickle her, play with her, give her piggyback rides. She's not breakable. Advice on passing down skills: Show her how to climb up a tree. Also, how to climb down. Your role: Be home for dinner on time. This is very important. Make sure she knows she can call you at any time and you will go get her. This is why the cell phone was invented. Guideposts, both material and spiritual: Give her a piggybank when she's little. She's never too young to learn the value of saving. And, Help her understand that there's more to life than wearing the right jeans. And finally: Prepare for the day when you're not the most important man in her life.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Harry Harrison is an award-winning copywriter and principal of the creative consultancy firm, Harrison Creative Direction. His is also the author of Father to Son and Father to Daughter.

Product Details

• Paperback: 356 pages
• Publisher: Workman Publishing Company (March 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761129774
• ISBN-13: 978-0761129776
• Product Dimensions: 4.4 x 4.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,822 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #2 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Parenting & Families > Family Relationships > Fatherhood
  • #9 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Health, Mind & Body > Personal Health > Women's Health > Pregnancy & Childbirth
  • #17 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Parenting & Families > Parenting > General

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nuggets of Wisdom for Fathers of Daughters, May 15, 2005

By 

S. Peek (Rocky Mountains, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Father to Daughter: Life Lessons on Raising a Girl (Paperback)

Although a very short, small book, this is a very good collection of simple bits of wisdom.

Some readers may think that it is too simplistic, but I think it contains some things that are very good reminders for fathers of daughters. As big of a job as parenting is in today's world, we can all use reminders of even the basics. In our fast paced world, many times our relationships with family members take a back seat to work. That shouldn't be the case. In this primer on parenting, Harrison helps us remember some basic things that are very valuable.

Some of the pages deal with advice on things that are your role as a parent. Others contain insights that will make readers smile in remembering events they have experienced in child rearing.

Some of my favorite of the included 'lessons' are these:

1. Take part in her life now. Don't wait until she's 15 to try to develop a relationship.
2. Tell her from day one that she can accomplish anything.
3. Be prepared to watch Walt Disney movies with her some 200 times. Each.
4. Tickle her, play with her, give her piggyback rides. She's not breakable.
5. Realize that as you shape her, she will shape you.
6. Read to her often. Very soon, she'll be reading to you.
7. Talk to her about what she wants to be when she grows up.
Continally reinforce the idea that anything is possible.
8. When she's old enough, sign her up for karate lessons. This is more for your sake than hers.
9. Think before you speak. Even when you don't mean to, you can end up hurting her feelings.
10. Take her out of town to somewhere she's never been at least once a year. This will develop her sense of wonder.
11. Remember, teenage girls spend hours in their room doing something. No man has ever really figured out what that something is.
12. There will be days when you think you've raised an alien. Those are the same days she feels she's being raised by one.
13. Remember, it's a good thing if the boys in her life think you are slightly unstable.

Frankly, I never would have bought this for myself. It's a very small, 'cutesy' looking book. It's just not the type of thing that attracts my attention. Fortunately, my wife saw it and bought it for me. It is a real little treasure.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for Daddies and Daddies-To-Be, May 31, 2004

By 

E.J. McIlwaine (Tucker, GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Father to Daughter: Life Lessons on Raising a Girl (Paperback)

This book is absolutely fantastic. I am a father of two daughters, with a new baby on the way. This book touched me, motivated me, made me think, made me change, and brought tears to my eyes at times.

I am sending a copy to all my "father of daughters" friends.

A must have for Daddies.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great gift idea!!!, March 25, 2004

By 

Suzanne "srrn74" (Potomac, MD United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Father to Daughter: Life Lessons on Raising a Girl (Paperback)

I just happened to pick this up in a book store one day and loved it from the first page. It is a wonderful book filled with a short paragraph or even just one sentence on each page. Some make you laugh, some make you think and some make you cry. A perfect gift to get for a husband, son, uncle, brother, friend whatever. Will make the Daddy and Daddy's little girl bond even stronger!!