10 Great Books About Dads

Posted by Jun 1, 2017 Book Lists, Books, Father's Day, Holidays

My father is one of my favorite people. He makes us laugh, he makes us feel loved and he teaches us everything from history, to movie facts, to random trivia. As I began searching for books about Dads, I was pleased to find several that portray the special relationship between fathers and children, as well as the many hats that fathers often wear. From books that celebrate spending time with your dad, to books about “dad humor”, there is a little bit of fun for all kinds of fathers. I hope you enjoy sharing these books with the great fathers in your life!

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Spending Time with Dad

Just Me and My Dad was written and illustrated by Mercer Mayer. Little Critter and his Dad go on a camping trip. They encounter a few bumps in the road on their trip, but they have fun spending time together. Kids will be entertained by the antics in the story while parents will appreciate how the Little Critter “helps”. The adorable illustrations and short text make this a great read aloud for kids young and old.

 

I Love You Daddy  was written by Jillian Harker and illustrated by Kristina Stephenson. In this cute story, Father Bear decides that Little Bear is old enough to try climbing, gathering honey and finding a home for winter. With help from his dad, Little Bear discovers that he is brave and smart. This book is a great example of the father helping the child to be more independent. Parents will enjoy the sweet relationship between the characters, while kids will be entertained by the adorable bear and the bright illustrations.

 

Celebrating All that Dads Do

Because I’m Your Dad was written by Ahmet Zappa and illustrated by Dan Santat. This book follows a list of pledges a father makes to his child. These include promising to tickle him, going to all of his soccer games, and missing him while he is away. The book has a sweet ending with a nod to the father’s father. Kids will enjoy the brightly colored monster characters while parents will enjoy the sweet promises fathers make to their kids.

 

Daddy is My Hero was written by Dawn Richards and illustrated by Jane Massey. The child narrator in this book tells the reader that his father may seem ordinary. He cooks, cleans and helps with bath time. However, the little boy sees him as so much more. The playful illustrations show how the little boy sees his father as a knight, a cowboy, a wizard and many other heroes. The rhyme scheme gives the book a nice flow for reading aloud, while the fun and colorful illustrations are sure to keep kids entertained. This is an adorable book which shows how kids admire their fathers and also see them as many kinds of heroes.

 

Dad Books for Little Ones

Me and My Dad was written by Alison Ritchie and illustrated by Alison Edgson. This short story follows a father bear and his cub as they spend a day together. They explore, dance in the rain, go for a swim and more. The little cub shares all of the reasons why he adores his dad. Kids will love the funny antics of the bears as well as the happy and colorful illustrations.

 

Daddy Hugs was written and illustrated by Karen Katz. This sweet board book counts from 1 to 10 as it shares the different kinds of hugs that the dad shares with his child. From hugs given while dancing to hugs that make boo boos better, there are many different ways that the father and child share hugs. This is a great book for toddlers as it reviews numbers 1-10. The bright illustrations and adorable story can also be enjoyed by parents and kids alike.

 

Celebrating Father’s Day

The Night Before Father’s Day was written by Natasha Wing and illustrated by Amy Wummer is another adorable rhyming spin on the famous Christmas poem. The children and the mother in the story prepare a big surprise for their Dad for Father’s Day. The catchy rhyming scheme and engaging illustrations will keep kids entertained, and the sweet story may inspire kids to create their own Father’s Day surprise!

 

A Perfect Father’s Day was written by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Susan Meddaugh. This sweet story follows a little girl named Susie as she takes her Dad out for the “perfect” Father’s Day. They go to all of Susie’s favorite places and do her favorite things, and her father happily follows along. The story is accompanied by colorful and fun illustrations detailing their adventures. Parents can appreciate the idea that the little girl thinks that her perfect day would obviously be the same as her father’s idea of a perfect day. This is a great story for recognizing the special relationship between fathers and their children, and how they do their best to make them happy.

 

Books about Funny Dads

My Dad Thinks He’s Funny was written by Katrina Germein and illustrated by Tom Jellett. This book introduces kids to the joy of “dad jokes”. As the child narrator shares all the ways that his dad thinks he is funny, kids may recognize some of their own Dad’s jokes. (Parents may see some of their Dad’s jokes too!). Kids will be entertained by some of the father’s comments and also by the funny illustrations.

 

When Dads Don’t Grow Up was written by Marjorie Blain Parker and illustrated by R.W. Alley. This sweet book shares with kids that some Dads never grow up. They want to pop bubble wrap, play ball in the house and join in on your game. They don’t worry about looking silly, because they remember what it is like to be little. The funny illustrations will engage kids, and parents may be inspired to let loose and live like a kid again!

 

Celebrate Father's Day with these 10 great children's books about dads! #FathersDay #FathersDayBooks #BooksAboutDads

Celebrate Father's Day with these 10 great children's books about dads! #FathersDay #FathersDayBooks #BooksAboutDadsMore Posts You May Enjoy

54 comments on “10 Great Books About Dads”

  1. What a fun list! I hadn’t heard of most of these and I was just starting to think about Father’s Day. I think I might pick up “My Dad Thinks He’s Funny” because my husband is huge on Dad jokes!

  6. Thank you so much for sharing this. I definitely will be buying “when dads don’t grow up” and “my dad thinks he’s funny” HAHA

  8. So precious, thanks for this collection! I’m working on growing a library of seasonal/holiday books for my twin girls to enjoy throughout the year. It’s a fun tradition I started and I love looking for new books!

  10. These are so cute and perfect for Father’s Day coming up! I’ve heard of some of these but not all. Love this!

    Fromunderapalmtree.com

  15. Already pinned to my kids’ books board and to my father’s day gift ideas boards!! Great list so many i have never seen before!! Thank you!!

  17. Isla and Neil’s favourite is Just Like My Dad. So true, by the way. Pinning this and will check out the others. Thank you!

    Lorna

  21. These are great! Dad’s don’t usually get the same attention Mom’s get so It’s refreshing to see that there are books honoring Dad as well! Thank you so much for sharing these, I’ll check them out for my Son for when he’s a little older <3

    • I was pleased to see so many good ones out there about father-child relationships! I agree, the focus is usually on the mother.

  24. Great list! My daughter absolutely LOVES to read, so these would be great for her to give to her dad. We already have a couple on the list, but many of them I am not familiar with. I’ll definitely be checking them out! Thanks so much!

  25. Oh my gosh that Just me and my dad book is/WAS my favorite! I got it for my husband last year for his first father’s day, and now we can’t find the book!!!! I’m so sad! Hopefully we find it soon. The others are great recommendations! I’m going to have to continue the tradition and buy one of these for father’s day this year!

    • My daughter gave that one to her dad on his first Father’s Day too! I love giving books on holidays.

  27. The ‘books about funny dads’ are both new to me but remind me of my husband so much. I’ve already gotten my husband his father’s day gifts from the kids but I think we’ll have to add at least one of those to our library in honor of his first father’s day as a dad to two. Thanks for putting together such a neat list of unique titles!

    • I’m so glad I could share some new ones! I love finding new books to give for holidays. I’m glad others do too!

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