Tiffany Parker is out to change the narrative. With the release of her children’s book, “Just Like Your Daddy,” Parker flips the script on the negative perception of Black fathers. Parker says the statement “You’re just like your father” is often derogatory within the Black community, but her book is filled with positive affirmations that reiterate that great fathers do exist. Through her story, she hopes to empower parents and celebrate the relationship between a Black father and son.
“The world will already tell us that Black fathers are not around,” Parker said in a press release. “Being a product of a great dad myself, I can say, that’s just not true There are amazing dads out here that will never get enough recognition. I hope my book helps to change that, one page at a time.” Throughout the book, children read phrases that say, “You are so smart!” “You are so courageous!” and “You are so important!” All followed by the statement “Just like your daddy.” Accompanying illustrations portray diverse children and their fathers.
As a mom of three, one of Parker’s goals is to create children’s books with positive representation for Black girls and boys. She was inspired to write “Just Like Your Daddy” while searching for bedtime stories to read to her son. When she couldn’t find any with characters that resembled him, she decided to take matters into her own hands.
“Things are spoken over us as children, good or bad, and can follow us all the way into adulthood,” Parker says. “I believe we have the power as parents to break any cycles we want with our own kids. This is why representation matters.”
Parker hopes her book inspires and affirms to all kids that they are perfect just as they are. She encourages parents to speak life into their children every chance they get. And hopefully one day, they’ll grow up to be just like daddy.
