Conversations with Margaret Bernstein

Today we’d like to introduce you to Margaret Bernstein.

Hi Margaret, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Through my business, Dad Storybooks LLC, I’m presiding over a joyful movement to recognize fathers of color who read with their children.

My engaging storybooks, written in rhyme, are designed to create special moments between fathers and their kids and to let dads know how critical they are to their child’s reading success.

Here’s my “why”: When dads read with their kids, studies show it has a direct impact on a child’s performance in school, So I wanted to write books that would really serve as tools to strengthen families and lift literacy rates – and it’s working!
There are more than 35,000 of my self-published books in circulation, and nothing thrills me more than hearing testimonials from dads who say reading my stories has become a family ritual. As one Instagram fan told me: “My girls love this book. My 4-year-old is always reading it to me and now the baby is trying, LOL.”

My family literacy crusade began in 2012 when a Cleveland medical center saw the value of my vision, funding publication of my first book, “All in a Dad’s Day,” and even throwing an unforgettable launch party in a park where a crowd of fathers read the book aloud to their kids. In 2018, I released the fun-to-read “Donuts With Dad,” which lets dads boast of their skills from hairstyling to teaching basketball moves. I followed that up with “The Fathers Walk,” which weaves an imaginative tale around the Million Fathers March, a national back-to-school campaign that encourages dads to walk their children to school.

And my latest book is “A Day With Dad Coloring and Activity Book,” a one-of-a-kind workbook full of word games, puzzles, quizzes and coloring pages for dad and child to complete together.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have had to teach myself the ins and outs of self-publishing. It’s been a challenge, learning through trial and error the most cost-effective way to get my books printed.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a mission-driven entrepreneur. I just want all children to grow up knowing the joy of reading, and I also want every child to feel secure in their father’s love. That’s what keeps me going.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
Yes, my biggest supporter is Steve Killpack, founder of the Healthy Fathering Collaborative of Greater Cleveland. He has always been supportive of my desire to write books for fathers, and he has gone above and beyond to promote my books and partner with me. There is a back-to-school event in Cleveland called “The Fathers Walk” — this is a day that fathers are encouraged to walk their child into the school and stay involved all year-long — and Steve has helped me connect with schools and establish literacy as a key component of this annual event. As a result, many Cleveland schools have purchased my books and given them away to dads who attend the walk.

Pricing:

• Paperback books: $10 each

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.margaretbernstein.org
• Instagram: @DadStorybooks
• Facebook: @Dad Storybooks
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-bernstein-b3b1728/