Need a children’s book idea to gift to the dads in your life? Here are 11 ideas. You can also just check it out of the library and read at bedtime on Sunday, June 18th.
I’m giving away three picture books perfect for Father’s Day. Please fill out the Rafflecopter at the bottom to enter.
What are your favorite books for kids featuring dads? Thanks for sharing!
11 Great Father’s Day Books for Kids
My Dad Used to Be So Cool by Keith Negley
To all the (incognito) rock star dads out there, this is the perfect picture book for you! I’d gift to any dad who was or is a musician in a rock band, or just is secretly cool. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Darth Vader and Son by Jeffrey Brown
Dads who are fans of Star Wars need this book. Imagine is Darth Vader babysat four-year-old Luke Skywalker. Would Darth have made different choices? This funny picture book imagines a vacation with the absent dad. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen, illustrated by John Schoenherr
This lyrical picture book should be on every bookshelf. It celebrates the bond between a father and his daughter as they search at night for owls. Gift this to a dad who is always taking his kids on nature adventures. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Things To Do With Dad by Sam Zuppardi
Celebrate Father’s Day with this wordless picture book where dad and son do all the household chores together, and then knock off another To-Do list. This is a list the little boy makes that includes fly jet packs, ride a dinosaur, visit the moon, and sail a pirate ship. Dad is willing to do it all! Gift this to a dad who plays imaginary games with their kids! [wordless picture book, ages 4 and up]
Baking with Dad by Aurora Cacciapuoti
This would be the perfect picture book for our family because my husband has just taught himself to bake bread. From a sourdough starter. That he made himself! The dad in this picture book bakes a birthday cake with his daughter although it’s unclear who they are baking for, and who is doing the cleanup! Give this to the dad in your life who likes to cook! [picture book, ages 4 and up]
You and Me, Me and You by Miguel Tanco
A little boy recounts all the things he helps his dad with including how to talk to strangers, choosing words with care, answering difficult questions, and telling stories. This is the perfect picture book for a hands-on dad with a child with a sense of humor who thinks the world revolves around them. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Beard Boy by John Flannery, illustrated by Steven Weinberg
Dads with beards deserve this picture book gifted to them on Father’s Day, especially by those kids with two dads who covet beards. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Tell Me a Tattoo Story by
Dad’s tattoos tell a story about the important events in his life. He has a tattoo of his favorite book his mother read to him. His father’s advice to be kind is on his arm. His bicep is adorned with a tattoo that reminds him of a pretty girl he met (and married). His dad is a veteran and one tattoo reminds him of that trip far away. His last tattoo is a small one of a special date. His little boy likes this one best of all. So does his dad.
Gift this picture book to a dad with a tattoo who likes to tell stories to their kids. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
My Dad is a Clown/Mi papá es un payaso by
Because this book appeals to both kids and adults, this is an especially good picture book to use for anyone trying to learn Spanish. A little boy is called a clown when his classmate was angry with him. That’s ok with him because his father is an actual clown. His other dad is a doctor, and in watching his clown father at rehearsals, the boy finds a way to combine both professions. Gift this to a father with an unusual profession, or speaks Spanish, or is gay. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Knock Knock: My Dad’s Dream for Me by Daniel Beaty, illustrated by Bryan Collier
For dads who didn’t have their father in their lives growing up, this is the perfect picture book to read on Father’s Day.
“Dribble the page with the brilliance of your ballpoint pen…
Knock Knock down the doors that I could not,
Knock Knock to open new doors to your dreams.
Knock Knock for me, for as long as you become your best, the best of me still lives in you.”
Daniel Beaty says that “as an educator of small children, I discovered how many of my students were also dealing with the loss of a father from incarceration, divorce or sometimes even death. This experience prompted me to tell the story of this loss from a child’s perspective and also to offer hope that every fatherless child can still create the most beautiful life possible.”
Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl
If you need a chapter book about a father and son, look no further. My favorite Roald Dahl book has a sly nod to the B.F.G. in this book about a father and son adventure poaching game birds. [chapter book, ages 8 and up]
Father’s Day Picture Book Giveaway
Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter. I can only mail to U.S. mailing addresses or AFO boxes. Please leave your first, second, and third choice as a comment as well.
Things To Do With Dad by Sam Zuppardi
You and Me, Me and You by Miguel Tanco
Baking with Dad by Aurora Cacciapuoti
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 is a book that I created to highlight books written by authors who share the same marginalized identity as the characters in their books.
Wow! I have only ever read one of these books; we’ll have to check out Vader and Son!
Hi Mother of 3,
Vader and Son makes me laugh!
Owl Moon is one of my all-time favorite books–such a classic! And I loved both Tattoo and Knock Knock too. I am unfamiliar with several of these titles, so I’ll look forward to reading them. Thanks, Mia!!
Hi Maria,
Lots of new dad books out this year!
Interesting assortment! Thanks for sharing it.
Thanks Barbara Ann!
1. Things to do with Dad
2. Baking with Dad
3. You & Me, Me & You
Thanks for entering Olivia!
Excellent collection! thanks for sharing!
Thanks Beth!
My choices are Baking with Dad, Things to do with Dad, and You & Me, Me & You. These look great, thanks!
Thanks for entering Kathy!
First choice: “You and Me, Me and You.”
Second choice: “Baking with Dad.”
Third choice: “Things To Do With Dad.”
Thanks for entering John!
1. You and Me, Me and You
2. Things To Do With Dad
3. Baking with Dad
Thanks for entering MaryAnne!
1. You and Me, Me and You
2. Baking with Dad
3. Things to do with Dad
Thanks for entering Jennifer!
Owl Moon is a favorite. Especially look forward to finding & reading Knock, Knock, as our kids grew up without grandfathers.
Hi Patricia,
Knock Knock is a powerful book. I hope you love it too!
1. Baking with Dad
2. You and Me, Me and You
3. Things to Do with Dad
Thanks for entering Alyssa!
Hi! You and Me, Me and You, would be my first choice…
Things to do With Dad.
Baking With Dad…
Thanks, Cindi
Thanks for entering Cindi!
With Dad; You and Me, Me and You;
(1) Baking with Dad
(2) Things to Do With Dad
(3) You and Me, Me and You
Thanks so much for entering Carolsue!
Baking with dad would definitely be my first choice, followed by things to do with dad, then you and me, me and you
Thanks so much for entering Sandy A.