Super Dad
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What is it like to be a Father?
Frank Cotterill-Boyce - author of Framed
Below is some questions I put to a "Super Dad", author Frank Cotterill-Boyce who has kindly
answered some questions for us. Frank has seven children, so I believe he has earnt the right
to provide these answers.
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How many children to you have, and do they like your books?
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I've got seven children (so far) and they like Millions and Framed. I read them the book I'm currently working on at Christmas thinking they'd love that too. They HATED it and I was so unnerved I started all over again. They like it now thank heavens.
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Do you find it harder to engage boys to read than girls?
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No. I've got four sons and I've spent a lot of time in schools the last few years. Plus I am a boy. I'm consciously writing for boys. Boys love stories! I really believe it's possible to entertain boys without doing car chases and guns and stuff.
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What advice would you give to a parent about introducing books to their children?
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Everyone loves being read to. Just spend half an hour reading to your kids every day. It's bonding, entertaining and it makes bedtime something to look forward to instead of a struggle.
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Do you have any tips for parents on how they can find the right book for their child?
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You can't beat browsing! Spend a bit of time in the library rather than the bookshop. Find something you're going to enjoy yourself. Make it a sharing thing. Even some books for the youngest can be fun for the grown-up too - Tiger Who Came to Tea, for instance, or The Gruffalo. Don't feel it has to be a new story every night. Kids seem to love familiarity and repetition.
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How will you be celebrating Father’s Day?
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I'll just be relaxing with the kids here in the garden. I assume someone else is going to do the cooking! In the evening I'll take my own dad out for a pint.
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What advice would you give to a dad who might be celebrating their first Father’s Day?
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No one really appreciates their parents till they become parents themselves, I think. Father's Day is a good time to think about how good your own Dad was. And how to avoid turning into him.
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What general advice could you give to parents to help them?
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Don't listen to advice! Find your own way. Advice is a mixture of nostalgia and whistful thinking.
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