Starting Saturday, October 1 the Flint Memorial Library invites Dads and their kids for a special story time event – Dad’s and Donuts. Almost every Saturday between October and March at 10:30 a.m., Youth Librarian Dianne Dowd will entertain your kids with stories, and you can connect with other dads.

Dowd began Dads and Donuts five years ago after the library heard about other programs specifically for dads and their kids. The Friends of the Library provides coffee, juice and donut holes. Dowd chooses and reads the books.

“I read dad-appropriate stories,” Dowd said. “This one coming up will be about dinosaurs.” 

At the Dads and Donuts kick off this weekend, she will read Tyrannosaurus Dad, by Liz Rosenberg. Other dad-appropriate topics include trucks, sports, pirates and cowboys. And, of course, the food is a draw.

“The idea was, if we feed them, they will come,” Dowd said.

It seems to be working, as her group can run between 20 to 30 attendees. 

“It’s been a wonderful experience because the dads see each other month after month,” Dowd said. “And they recognize that (the kids) have grown… most moms stay away… they’ve been here a million times; they’ve already heard the story.”

She said that Dads and Donuts gives the kids a chance to share their world with dad. Of course, all caretakers are welcome.

Dowd raised two daughters in North Reading who are now 23 and 27.

Dowd said, “My husband keeps saying 'When do I get to go to Dad’s and Donuts again?'" She told him that he is going to have to wait until he has grandchildren.

But you don't have to wait to have some quality and literary time with the kids. Drop in this coming Saturday for stories and snacks.