Popsicle Fish: Tales of Fathering (Paperback)

by Michael J. Murphy (Author), Susanna Hepburn Kravitz (Illustrator) "I admit it with shame but it's true..." (more)
Key Phrases: popsicle fish, brown stuff, past matter

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Fathers parent very differently from mothers, and vive la difference! This book of short personal essays focuses on the father-son relationships between Michael Murphy and his three boys. Whether inadvertently peeing on the cat or going through the agonies of LIKING a girl for the first time, Murphy's kids come to life for us.

In "The Big D," his 6-year-old sobs, wanting to know what happens to the stars when they disappear. Once reassured, he says, "Hey Dad, can I go play Nintendo now?" It's not so much what the kids do--all kids have moments of surprise brilliance and poignancy--it's how well Murphy filters and responds to them. You'll be glad to meet this big-hearted father who has a lot to teach all of us.

Review
"Popsicle Fish puts in writing all of the funny, yet profoundly important moments all fathers experience with their children. It is a warm, honest and witty look at the ordinary experiences of fathering that turn out to be extraordinary after all." -- Wade F. Horn, Ph.D., Director, National Fatherhood Initiative

"Popsicle Fish reaches down deep into the pockets of every parent's laughs and wishes, heartaches and hopes, and pulls out fistfulls of wisdom and love." -- Dr. Paul Colman, Author of The Thirty Secrets of Happily Married Couples

"With warmth, humor and humility, Michael Murphy draws us into the all-time ultimate adventure -- parenthood. . . .a delicious reminder that in the smallest moments are found life's greatest truths. Savor it!" -- Martha Farrell Erickson, Ph.D., Director, Children, Youth &

Popsicle Fish puts in writing all of the funny, yet profoundly important moments all fathers experience with their children. It is a warm, honest and witty look at the ordinary experiences of fathering that turn out to be extraordinary after all. -- Wade F. Horn, Ph.D., Director, National Fatherhood Initiative

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Health Press (NM) (May 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0929173236
• ISBN-13: 978-0929173238
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,370,940 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful gift for every parent, November 2, 2000

By A Customer

I found this book to be a wonderful read. It's not just humorous and wise, but I found that I could re-read it six months later and see new things as my own children grew older. The author has a warm way of communicating that makes this book one you'll want to keep for a long, long time.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Is a father's role essential?, June 7, 1998

By A Customer

In an interview with Bodywise, Dr. Murphy said "We are at the most powerful and critical point of human history as the traditional roles of men and women are changing. For the first time in human history, we have a choice... Fathers are no longer necessary to the biological creation of a child; the result is a change in the constitution of the family as never before." Dr. Murphy goes on to say that "Studies show that many children in the US will have lost their father by a child's eighteenth birthday. What does this mean to our society's future? And is a father's role essential to the healthy development of a child and if so how? Research shows that children perceive their fathers as a mixture of love and fear. That fear is translated into a sense of safety against risks in the world. So as the child grows into adulthood, he has a postive sense of himself via a role model and can feel safe. Studies have shown that this feeling of security is directly to violence in adulthood". This title is for all fathers who devote and give of themselves to their children. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life between career and modern life's demands, it's easy to lose focus or maintain a sense of humor on what raising a child is truly all about; reading Popsicle Fish will certainly change that even for but a few peaceful moments. Dr. Murphy, a father to 3 children: his own child, a step-child, and an adopted son - he takes us out of 'our reality' and shows us how to look at life and its many events through the eyes and heart of a child. Don't even think about reading this title in one sitting - indulge yourself and read the 3 page chapters whenever you need a "reality check" on how vital your contribution as a father really means to your child and how it the powerful impact that will last a lifetime.