DoB welcomes our third author and first non-daughter, non-Dan guest! None other than the perfectly paraphrasing prosaist of Ms. Pennypickle’s Puzzle Quest multiple award-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling author Chris Grabenstein.

We get to the bottom of the meaning and pronunciation of his name (nom de plume); how he writes; and how his writing was influenced by his experience in improv (back when he was Chris “The Banker” Grabenstein, chilling with Bruce “The Bartender” Willis and Robin "Yes, THAT one" Williams), radio, the ad game, and even banking (a guy's gotta eat).

Chris loves alliteration, imagination, and collaboration with authors like James Patterson, the G. T. Carber, and even his very own wife JJ. who is best first read and unofficial editor.

We talk about Ms. Pennypickle’s Puzzle Quest, and many of his other books, including The Island of Dr. Libris, Shine, The Crossroads, Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, Murdle Jr.: Sleuths on the Loose, Stinky's Stories#2: Jack and the Beanstink, and The Smartest Kid in the Universe. Why so many books? Because Chris writes a lot, and we love his books a lot, and because we are Dads on Books. It's what we do.

And that’s just in this episode! Stay tuned for part two next week!

If you liked this episode, you'll LOVE these:

Our first Dan Guest: Dan Gutman Part One and Part Two
And our second Dan Guest: Dan Yaccarino parte uno and parte due

And now a word from our sponsors. (Well not really sponsors, just places we get books and hope that you'll go to if you need one).

A House with Books
Talking Animals Books
River Forest Public Library
Grapevine Public Library
Keller Public Library

Mike and David are moved by the inspiring story of Ruby Bridges, a six year old, black girl who was integrated into New Orleans public schools in 1960.

After David learned of her story through Fr. Mike’s (no relation) homily at his girls’ Catholic school, they decided to pick not one, but two books about Ruby Bridges to read and talk about:

The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles

and

Through My Eyes: Ruby Bridges by Ruby Bridges

And talk they do. In an episode where they aren't as wacky or silly as they normally are, Mike and David talk about Ruby Bridges' story; American history and race; and their own experiences, perceptions, and thoughts on issues that are still relevant today.

The episode features less laughing, and more thinking, a touch less of their silliness, and a handful of more seriousness. But, like all of their episodes, the Dads step up and show the power that books and what they teach really matters. Based on a true important event in the American civil rights movement, Mike and David talk for over an hour and decided this would be one long, thoughtful, thought provoking episode, talking about kids, books, heroes, history, and, so so much more!

If you enjoy this episode, read another book about Black American history, and let us know about it at DadsOnBooks@gmail.com. We all should be more aware of these stories. They are part of our history as Americans.

If you want to know more about Ruby and her foundation, take a look at the Ruby Bridge's Foundation website.

And if you like this episode, take a listen to one these if you haven't already:

More American history: George Washington’s Teeth

Dan Yaccarino episodes: Parte Uno, Parte Due

And now a word from our sponsors. (Well not really sponsors, just places we get books and hope that you'll go to if you need one).

A House with Books
River Forest Public Library
Grapevine Public Library
Keller Public Library

And a library that had a great Black History month design:
Timberland Regional Library

Did you know that George Washington had fake teeth? We did, too. Did you know it was a problem his entire adult life? Neither did we. Did you know he didn’t have wooden teeth? Neither did we. Did you know that he led the Continental army to win the Revolutionary War? We did, too. Just seeing if you’re paying attention. Good job.

While this episode of Dads on Books is just as fun as all the other ones, we decided to celebrate Presidents’ Day with a little bit of learning and a whole lot of fun.

Check it out, and hold onto your dentures. It’s gonna be a bumpy night.

And if you liked tghis one, you'll LOVE these:

Dan Gutman's episodes: Part 1, Part 2
Dan Yaccarino's episode: Parte Uno, Parte Due
More fun water color Mrs. McTats and her House Full of Cats and Guess How Much I Love You?

Some of our favorite places to get books:

A House with Books
River Forest Public Library
Grapevine Public Library
Keller Public Library