As Father’s Day arrives, D.C. area law professor N. Jeremi Duru says his new co-written book, “You Are My Favorite Story,” is built around the small moments that teach children they are loved—and help fathers put that love into words.
On Father’s Day, N. Jeremi Duru finds himself returning to a simple idea: it’s the one day that sharply reminds you what it means to be a child’s father.
Duru, a professor at American University’s Washington College of Law, said Father’s Day highlights “what that means to be a child’s father.” A D.C. area native with three sons, he brought those lessons into a new book released this year, written with his longtime friend Shani M. King.
“You Are My Favorite Story” co-written by Duru and King. traces how stories and guidance can shape a child as they grow—into someone who later becomes a father themselves. Duru describes the book’s world in everyday gestures: the encouragement to try something new. the routine care that turns into trust. He pointed to “the time when you encourage your child to go swimming for the first time. picking them up for school. ” and the quiet companionship of working alongside each other as children do their homework.
The book’s origin, Duru said, began with King. He described a moment when King was writing something for his own children—“a poem. a love letter to his children”—and shared it with him. Duru recalled the reaction like it happened yesterday: “I was like. that’s incredible.” King then asked what Duru thought about turning the writing into a book together.
Duru said the book is also meant to meet fathers where they are. especially those whose feelings don’t come naturally into speech. “Our hope with the book is to allow fathers who may not have that instinct to express love in that way to do so through the book. ” he said. He said the aim is to give a practical way for dads who may not be comfortable with emotion to find words their children can hear. “We want this book to be a tool for fathers who may not be as comfortable expressing their emotions to their child. telling their child. ‘I love you.’”.
One page in particular, Duru said, stays with him. He described a father comforting a child after the child has fallen off a bike—holding the child. explaining that the pain is shared. and trying to ease it. “To me, that’s the most touching page of the book,” Duru said. He said the moment captures what he sees as the heart of fatherhood: the father feeling the child’s hurt and wanting to do everything possible to take it away.
For Duru, the book is a collection of those small moments—encouragement, routine support, and the chance to tell a child they are loved—rendered as guidance for fathers at any stage.
Father’s Day fatherhood law professor American University Washington College of Law N. Jeremi Duru Shani M. King You Are My Favorite Story parenting D.C. area
So is this like a legal book or a bedtime story? title sounds cute though.
Father’s Day always makes me emotional and this professor guy is out here writing poems? Good for him. Wish my kids’ dad would take notes instead of acting like feelings are illegal.
Wait who is N. Jeremi Duru, like the judge? I’m confused because I thought law professors don’t do stuff like “story” books. But if it’s about saying I love you maybe it should’ve been in the schools, not a D.C. law thing.
“Small moments” is what every article says now lol. Like yeah pick them up for school, encourage them to swim first time… that’s parenting? Still kinda sweet though. Also the one about bike falling off—sounds like something that happens anyway, don’t know how that turns into a whole book but I guess dads need practice saying stuff.