It’s been over 30 years since my dad passed away. Sometimes it feels so very long ago; at other times, it feels like it just happened yesterday. Although he died when I was a still a very young man, I have precious memories of my dad that keep him alive in my heart.

Starting around 3 or 4, I spent most of my time with my dad. Whenever possible, I would go with him on his sales calls and errands—I liked the lumber yard the best. When he worked on home projects, which were many and frequent, I was always underfoot wanting to help, and he would always let me help, even though it usually made more work for him. When he was busy with paperwork, I was again right there beside him with my own make-believe desk and a handful of very valuable junk mail I had pulled out of the trash so I could pretend to be a businessman like my father.

I watched him while he shaved, shined his shoes, put on a tie, all the while volleying more questions his way than even the US Olympic Tennis Team could return. And last but not least, I was always there when he raided the refrigerator for a bedtime snack—homemade ice-cream was my favorite.

But of all my memories of my dad, the most poignant ones are of the scary times when I needed reassurance. At those moments, my dad was my true hero. Whenever I was frightened or in over my head for any reason, I knew that I could call on my dad and he would be there for me. I guess you can say it was a lot like flashing the bat signal with the confidence that Batman would be there just in time to save the day.

I wrote Superhero in remembrance of my dad. He was always my superhero. In this book I pay tribute to my love for him, and hope to remind all parents that taking the time to reassure your children through their fears and insecurities will create a bond with them that lasts their whole lives.

So if you know a boy whose dad is his hero — or a girl who thinks the world of her dad — check out my book Superhero and share it with them.