How to Talk to Dads

by Alec Greven, Kei Acedera (Illustrator)

Never underestimate the power of the father! You may think you know all the tricks, but ten-year-old Alec Greven knows that when it comes to dads, you have to be on your toes. Some dads are strict, and some are easygoing, but they all have a good side and a bad side. What you get totally depends on Dad's mood and your attitude. So no matter how old you are or how tight you are with the big guy, trust Alec to help you get down to the bottom of what makes your dad tick. There is an 80 percent chance your dad will say yes when your mom says no. Video games calm Dad down and put him in a better mood. If you think Dad is going to let you run wild, you are wrong!

Genres: Nonfiction, Childrens

48 pages, Hardcover

First published April 10, 2009

About the author

Alec Greven, 9, is a fourth grader from Castle Rock, Colorado. Alec Greven wrote a book called,”How To Talk To Girls.” Alec Greven impressed Ellen DeGeneres so much that she invited him to be on her show. Then, DeGeneres took Alec Greven to New York to meet HarperCollins Publishers. HarperCollins loved Greven’s book on “How To talk To Girls.” HarperCollins decided to publish Alec Greven’s book.

Alec Greven said he wrote his book based on observation of the interactions of girls and boys at the playground. Alec Greven does not have a girlfriend yet.

Alec - who just finished a children's book on the Watergate scandal - said he wants to be a full-time writer when he grows up, with a weekend job in archaeology or paleontology.

Reviews

[Jessica Meetze · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not gonna lie, some of the scenarios in this book made me cringe, but that’s to be expected because this book is SO honest and specific. I can’t agree on how the dad in this book parents in every situation, but can we really all agree on how to parent? I think not. I also found this book very insightful. Props to the author for writing the depths of a man’s thinking when it comes to his ideals, wounds, thoughts, desires, and goals. When you really read into it (no pun intended) you can really see the depth of many men’s thinking. Read it! Think about it. Take what you can from the book and leave the rest. You don’t have to agree with the author to enjoy it. Illustrations are simple but cute. My two boys dug it, and agreed with a few scenarios, and even laughed.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review will be very similar to the companion book I reviewed called How to Talk to Moms. Both books are fantastic and we check them out from the library every couple months for our 7-year-old daughter. This book talks about what dads like and don't like, how to stay on your dad's good side, what dads do to bug their kids, and how dads help and support their children. This book is basically a tips and tricks book for kids and dads on communicating better with each other.

*Fun fact about this book. The author was only 9 years old when he wrote this book!

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

By this, Alec Greven's third advice book, I've grown well used to his style of writing. It's a comfortable style with good pacing, and the advice that is given in How to Talk to Dads has a feel of genuineness about it. For the most part, the book is comprised of very basic sorts of material, but the best advice usually is basic and straightforward. The simplest explanation in generally the right one, as they say.

I appreciate Alec Greven's willingness to be so open in his thoughts. His candor will make kids who read this book be much more likely to use the suggestions that he provides, because he really seems to know the place from which they are coming. Nothing makes a person want to consider the words of another more than a keen sense of empathy coming through in what they say, and I think that is certainly the case in How to Talk to Dads.

This is good work from a good writer, one whose unique attitude and ways of thinking I have come to like very much.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most children know that mom and dad play different roles in the family and in a kid's life. That is why ten-year-old Greven is providing readers with his latest work, How to Talk to Dads, as a companion to the previously released title about communicating with mothers. In his new guide, Greven introduces "The Two Sides of Dad," which explains why a dad can be even trickier than a mom. On one hand, dad can be easygoing and laid back. However, if he is crossed, watch out for the dark side! Greven explains that dads hate whining and expect good behavior. One important tip Greven offers is to remember is that if mom is happy, then so is dad. How to Talk to Dads is a quick, fun read for sons and daughters of all ages. Greven's quaint observations remind readers of many reasons that dads are so lovable.

[Shellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this little book up at Bog Lots because the title was irresistible, I read the first page and bought it for my son and his boys, then came home and read it and fell in love. THEN I noticed the author! He's a ten-year boy - and has other books, has done the TV circuit, and he looks adorable. Anyway here's what I read in the store that made me bring it home:
Intorduction
this book has everything you need to know about the gib guy in your ife - Dad.
There are all kinds of dads. Maybe yours lets you get away with everything. Maybe he's tough - tougher than Mom? Maybe he talks a lot about goals for your future.

That's as far as I got before I bought the book. And I'm glad I did. If you have small children in your life you will appreciate this book too, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[Kirsten Lansberry · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow, this book is sexist and really generalizing! It's written as a sort of instruction manual for children on how to understand the way "dads" think so that they can communicate (read:manipulate) with them better. Nearly every statement in the book could just as easily be applied to "moms", depending on the dynamics of the family. I do not think it is helpful for children to learn to generalize in this way.

[A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a girl so the only line that worked for me in this book was "Dads are softies with little girls because they are all cute and sweet"

this book is about how boys would talk to Dads but not how girls would talk to Dads.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pre-teen wrote this for kids.... His mom one was better

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

great adivce

[Teri · Rating 3 out of 5]

published at age 10

[Lissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny - I still can't believe this is written by a nine-year old. My boys loved it too.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable and in many ways profound. A 9-year old gets this???