This bibliography lists materials related to fathering. These materials were published in 1990 or later. This listing does not contain materials for parents with disabilities, care of children with special health needs, breastfeeding, normal child development, or child care services. These topics are covered in other bibliographies listed elsewhere in the Web site. Items may be obtained from the sources cited. Contact information was current at the time the item was added to the NCEMCH reference collection.

Channing L. Bete Company. About being a father. South Deerfield, MI: Channing L. Bete Company, 1995. 15 pp. Contact: Channing L. Bete Company, 200 State Road, 01373-0200. Telephone: (800) 628-7733 / (413) 665-7611 / Fax (800) 499-6464. $1.25 plus shipping and handling; quantity discounts available. 49494A-5-93.

This 5"x7" booklet, with somewhat cartoon-like multicultural illustrations mainly of fathers and children (ages infant to 10), describes the responsibilities and rewards involved in being a father. With main points both illustrated and color highlighted, it discusses reasons to learn about being a father, why some fathers don't take an active role, how to understand a child's emotional needs, the ABCs of discipline, nurturing a child's mind, looking after physical health, sharing responsibilities between parents, and how to stay involved when living apart from the children. Phone numbers for other sources of help and information are included. Using the SMOG index, this material tested at a 7th grade reading level.

Lindsay, J. W. Teen dads: Rights, responsibilities and joys. Buena Park, CA: Morning Glory Press, 1993. 190 pp. Contact: Morning Glory Press, 6595 San Haroldo Way, Buena Park, CA 90620-3748. Telephone: (714) 828-1998 / Fax (714) 828-2049. $9.95 paperback plus $2.50 shipping and handling.

This book was written for adolescent fathers to provide a guide to parenting from conception to age three. It is based on interviews with 41 adolescent fathers, some from the inner city and some from rural areas, some high-achievers who both work and continue their education, and others who, at the time of the interview, were in jail. It includes many quotes from the young fathers. Topics include providing support to one's partner during pregnancy, labor, and delivery; caring for a newborn; relationship building; and parenting.

Marzollo, J. Fathers and babies: How babies grow and what they need from you, from birth to 18 months. New York, NY: HarperPerennial, 1993. 235 pp. Contact: HarperPerennial, HarperCollins Publishers, 10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299. Telephone: (212) 207-7174 / Fax (212) 207-7901. $10.00.

This book is a practical guide to baby care written expressly for fathers. In addition to step-by-step instructions on basic child care, the book also provides explanations of the important perceptual abilities, language skills, muscular coordination, strength, and concepts of trust and self-esteem that babies need to develop during the first 18 months of life.

Nykiel, C. What it takes: A survival guide to young and teen dads-to-be. Frankfort, IL: Young Family Press; distributed by For Teen Moms Only, 1995. 50 pp. Contact: For Teen Moms Only, P.O. Box 962, Frankfort, IL 60423. Telephone: (815) 464-5465. $3.95, 1-9 copies, $3.80, 10-100 copies, $3.65, 100-500 plus shipping and handling, under $6.00, $1.75; $6.01-$50.00, $4.50; call for discount for larger orders; Illinois residents add 6.5 percent sales tax; prepayment required; make checks payable to For Teen Moms Only. ISBN 1-888231-02-5.

This booklet contains educational materials for adolescent and young adult fathers; it provides advice for obtaining support for these men and for engaging them in the process. Individual sections describe ways for the father to obtain support, interacting with the baby's mother and her family, providing the mother help during the pregnancy, the father's role following birth, and information on planning for the father's future and his support of his child. The booklet also includes a a bibliography arranged by subject.

Thevenin, T. Mothering and fathering: The gender differences in child rearing. Garden City Park, NY: Avery Publishing Group, 1993. 205 pp. Contact: Avery Publishing Group, 120 Old Broadway, Garden City Park, NY 11040. Telephone: (800) 548-5757 / (516) 741-2155 / Fax (516) 742-1892. $9.95.

This book emphasizes the fundamentally different approaches and perspectives that men and women bring to parenting. The author wants to clarify the mother's perspective while contrasting it with the father's, hoping that a mutual understanding will result in better parents. Topics include mother parenting versus father parenting, understanding basic gender and parenting differences, the importance of both mothers and fathers, and how to interpret the current childrearing experts.

Back to Top