Dad is Fat by Jim Gaffigan

Just in time for Father's Day, comedian Jim Gaffigan has given readers Dad is Fat. This collection of essays and reflections on being a parent is hysterical. Fans of Gaffigan, as well as those not familiar with his stand-up, will find themselves laughing at his observations, quips and one liners on the strange world that children and parents inhabit.

Share a special storytime with your family and read his essays out loud. Read "The Pharaoh and the Slave" to your friend who is months (or days) from being a first time father. For the more literary types, there is a pretty accurate analysis of children's literature in "A Critical Analysis of Children's Literature". For those who value personal space and alone time, enjoy "How to Put Five Kids to Bed in a Two-Bedroom Apartment".


It's hard to find a comic who appeals to everyone, and Gaffigan comes close. Anyone who was a child, is a parent or had a child or a parent will enjoy Dad is Fat.

Note: Jim Gaffigan is doing a book talk and signing on Saturday June 15th at Boswell Book Company. Check out Boswell's event page for more information!

Like a Rose by Rick Telander

Rick Telander is a sports columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, who has written for Sports Illustrated, and has penned a number of sports-related books, most memorably Heaven Is A Playground – named one of Sports Illustrated’s top 100 sports books of all time. Like A Rose finds the author reflecting on his short stint as a prospective defensive back in the 1971 training camp of the National Football League’s Kansas City Chiefs. Subtitled, “Life Lessons from a Training Camp with Hank Stram and the Kansas City Chiefs,” the author cleverly juxtaposes his experiences playing football at the high school, college, and (albeit briefly) professional levels, with that of his own son’s passion for the game and the inherent dangers of the sport. Telander is at times conflicted between his love of football, the life lessons he took from the experience, and the increasingly publicized concerns about head injuries that his son faces while playing the sport. In between, Telander weaves an interesting story about finding a 15 cent spiral notebook diary he kept during his training camp with the Chiefs, and reflects on how the experience influenced the husband, father, and writer he became. Particularly poignant is Telander’s reconnection with his high school football coach and the author’s search for reasons why he became the star quarterback of his suburban Chicago school over thirty years prior. Throughout the book Telander throws out thoughtful gems of wisdom relating to the sport of football and lasting lessons it can teach. Perhaps most thought provoking is the idea that the game of football itself cannot exist without the very real potential for injury. Telander writes, “The possibility of injury – even severe injury – on any play was the very key to the game. If you couldn’t get hurt, if you didn’t stand the chance of hurting someone else….why play at all?” After his teenage son Zack is knocked unconscious during a game, Telander is left questioning the game he loves, “His eyes are closed and he is not moving. I look at his little boy’s face through his big man’s armor, and I feel as though I am looking at all my sins, all my stupidity, all my ignorance.” In the end, the author concludes that he cannot hold back his son’s passion for the game anymore than his own father could, and that for Telander the sport of football remains a teaching tool. Telander writes, “Football teaches you that life is hard, but it can be immensely rewarding….even thrilling.” Like A Rose is a short, easy read that will pleasantly surprise in the wealth of insight contained within.

The Spark by Kristine Barnett

It all started with alphabet flashcards that Jacob would bring to school every day. His teachers, and case workers thought that his parents had expectations that were too high for the 3 year old diagnosed with autism. They wanted to be sure he could dress himself, and learning the alphabet was too much to ever hope for. What they didn't know is that it wasn't his parents sending the cards with him. It was Jake who loved those cards.

Kristine Barnett tells the story of her oldest son Jacob or Jake and his diagnosis of Autism and how he exceeded expectations of his case workers and did learn to read, go to regular school and even attend college at the age of 9. But she's telling more than Jake's story, as she talks about the children she worked with at various autism groups she set up; children who were given reports of what they could not do, yet she found things they could do. It is also the story of parents of children with autism who are desperate for a community as well as advocates who see potential in their children.

Kristine is all of these things, advocate, support system and super mom. The Spark is an uplifting read and will have you looking for the great potential in every child you interact with. Author Kristine Barnett is the type of person you want to advocate for your children, and you know she would. Not just for parents of children with autism, any parent or person who works with children can benefit from the powerful message of The Spark.

The Spark will be published on April 9th. This review is based on an Advanced Reader's Edition sent from the publisher.