28 Sweet Picture Books That Celebrate Fatherhood
by Liz Lesnick
I don’t know about you, but finding the right Father’s Day gift for the dads and father figures in my life has always been a challenge. In the age of remote work and business casual, I can’t possibly give that old go-to gift, the tie. What I can always count on to be a thoughtful, personal gift is a great book.
This year I have picture books on my mind because my brother-in-law will be celebrating his very first Father’s Day. I can’t wait to see pictures of him curled up with my niece reading one of these soon-to-be classics.
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Hair Love
Buy from:In this celebration of a father’s love, Zuri and her dad work together to style her gorgeous, natural, curly hair when Zuri’s mom is away. Zuri’s dad shows the power of the bond between dads and daughters.
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My Dad Is a Tree
Buy from:This imaginative picture book celebrates dads who go the extra mile for their children. When little Madeleine convinces her dad to pretend to be a tree so they can spend the day playing outside, he takes his role very seriously, keeping still as a bird nests on his head, a spider spins a web on his arm, and rain falls from the sky. After all, as Madeleine reminds him, "Trees aren't bothered by stuff like that."
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Daddy Speaks Love
Buy from:This beautiful book highlights the many ways that dads show up for their children. From painting nails to banishing monsters, dads play an essential role in their children’s lives. Beautiful illustrations and heartwarming text make this picture book a fantastic gift for new parents or Father’s Day.
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Bluey: The Big Blue Guy’s Book of Dad Goals
Buy from:Bluey’s dad, Bandit, shares his favorite tips and tricks to being a great dad. Whether he’s waking up early to make the most of the day with the kids, dancing like no one’s watching, or showing the kids how to win fair and square, he takes his job as dad very seriously. Sweet and a little silly, this book is a great reminder of all the ways — big and small — you can show up for your loved ones. Kids will especially love drawing connections between all the things Bandit and their own dads do every day!
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RELATED: Picture Books That Celebrate BIPOC Dads
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The Bench
Buy from:Inspired by a poem Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, wrote for her husband for his first Father's Day as a dad, this sweet story explores the many ways love can take shape between fathers and sons, as seen through a mother's eyes. Featuring a range of diverse families, Robinson's ethereal watercolor art beautifully compliments Meghan's poetic text while evoking a sense of joy.
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Ahoy!
Buy from:A storm is approaching! While a father is busy finishing some housework, his son starts a pretend adventure across the seas. The father, of course, decides to join in, and together they embark on a delightful tale that celebrates the pleasures of imagination and spending time with dad!
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This Is the First Book I Will Read to You
Buy from:A new dad is excited to read to his baby for the first time in this lyrical story centered around the tender ritual of storytime, cementing the love of reading for a lifetime.
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Llama Llama Daddy’s Day
Buy from:Calling all little llamas! Gather around with beloved Llama Llama and Nelly Gnu as they figure out what makes the best gift for Daddy Gnu. A delightfully funny tale, that’s based on an episode dads can watch with their little ones on Netflix.
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My Dad Is a Unicorn!
Buy from:If you think your dad is weird, imagine if he was a unicorn! All dads have their quirks, but this dad is always getting his tie stuck on his horn and he uses glitter to fix everything! This hilarious picture book shows that even if dads do silly things, they love their kids and would do anything for them. Plus, those quirks are what make our dads so special and deserve to be celebrated!
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I Love Dad with The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Buy from:Dads will devour this board book gem featuring Eric Carle’s beloved caterpillar and an adorable cast of furry and feathered friends sharing all of the reasons they love their dads.
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My Dad and Me
Buy from:Say goodbye to boring Father's Day cards! Along with the characters from Mr. Men and Little Miss, little readers can express in their own words all they love and cherish about their dads. You can't go wrong with this adorable picture book.
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A Father's Love
Buy from:From a penguin papa snuggling with his baby in the cold, white snow to a seahorse father hatching his young in the deep blue ocean, this adorable board book shows that a father's love comes in all forms. Sweet and simple rhymes combine with beautiful artwork to create a memorable bedtime lullaby for dads and kids to enjoy together.
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My Dad Is the Best
Buy from:Two young boys compete to see whose dad is the strongest in this silly and sweet picture book. One kid claims that his dad can lift a truck. Not to be outdone, the other kid says that his dad can lift a truck … filled with elephants! As the book progresses, the claims get more absurd, until they eventually realize that there is something even more special about their dads than their strength.
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Here We Are
Buy from:In this beautiful book, Oliver Jeffers outlines his hopes and dreams for his child as they go out into the world. Filled with gentle humor and yet incredibly insightful, it is a wonderful read for anyone who calls Earth home, both on how we should protect our planet, but also how we should treat those who inhabit it.
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Brick by Brick
Buy from:Luis looks up to his father, who works as a bricklayer and builds up their city brick by brick. At school, where Luis also works hard and dreams of the future, he compares all the ways that he and Papi are similar. The mixed-media artwork and Spanish phrases add vibrancy to a sweet father-son story.
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No Pants!
Buy from:On the day of a family party, Pablo and his dad get ready together. But when Pablo refuses to put on his pants, his dad has to get creative. This hilarious picture book celebrates the unique way fathers relate to their kids.
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Dad and the Dinosaur
Buy from:Unlike his dad, who seems to have no fears at all, Nicholas has a long list of things that scare him — but with his stuffed dinosaur by his side, those fears disappear. When his dino goes missing, Nicholas’s dad teaches him that everyone gets scared sometimes, and you can always ask for help.
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Love, Dad: Inspiring Notes from Fathers to Kids
Buy from:Eighteen fathers were asked to finish the sentence, “When you grow up, I hope you …” Some expressed hope that their children would dream big while others wanted their kids to be loved and show kindness to others. Tender and inspiring, this illustrated collection is filled with the many hopes and dreams that fathers have for their children. A beautiful read for Father’s Day and all year long!
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Dads Can Do It All!
Buy from:This sweet board book highlights the importance of dads as role models — working as mail carriers, chefs, astronauts, and stay-at-home dads —while reminding children they do anything they set their minds to.
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Hop on Pop
Buy from:With fun rhymes and simple words, this book is one your early reader will want to read aloud to their own Pop. With silliness only Dr. Seuss could write, Hop on Pop will be a favorite for the whole family to enjoy.
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Our Shed
Buy from:Our Shed tells the story of a father-daughter team who work together to build a shed in their backyard. As they work, the father passes down his knowledge on how to build a structure, while the daughter teaches her father how to use your imagination and creativity. Charming and heartwarming, this book will teach readers not only how to build a shed, but also how to build a lasting relationship.
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I Love You, Daddy
Buy from:You can never go wrong with a Peter Rabbit book for any occasion (or no occasion at all!). In this elegantly illustrated picture book, Peter expresses his affection for his father, wrapping up on a heartwarming note: "Remember, Daddy, I love you, too."
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Happy Father’s Day from the Crayons
Buy from:The Crayons are back and this time they are showing their appreciation for the dads — and father figures — in their lives! Green crayon loves his granddad, who has a real green thumb. Red Crayon loves his dad because he draws the most perfect hearts. And Blue Green crayon has two dads to celebrate! Hilarious and heartfelt, this inclusive book also highlights that each family is different and that we should celebrate all kinds of families!
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My Dad Used To Be So Cool
Buy from:A total hit for new dads, this one follows a son in awe of his dad's pre-fatherhood days, full of live shows, tattoos, and motorcycle rides. Striking the perfect balance between humorous and emotional (Negley's niche, writes the New York Times, is expanding our ideas of masculinity), My Dad Used to Be So Cool is sure to become a household favorite.
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Dad School
Buy from:A little boy wonders how dads know how to do so many amazing things like fixing a leaky faucet, making mega-sandwiches, or simultaneously paying bills and playing Go Fish. He imagines they must go to school just like he does. Kids and dads alike will love the vivid images that show the myriad skills that dads must master to do their jobs.
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My Dad Is Awesome by Bluey and Bingo
Buy from:Everyone’s favorite Heelers are back to celebrate their dad! Bluey and Bingo love that their dad, Bandit, takes them on exciting adventures and plays fun games with them in the backyard. Your little ones will love finding all the similarities they share with Bluey and Bingo, as well as sharing their own reasons for why their dad is awesome!
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Dawn Patrol: A Father and Daughter Surfing Story
Buy from:This stunning picture book follows a father and daughter as they go out to surf at dawn. The two love to laugh as they put on their wetsuits, watch the surfers, and get excited when they finally ride a wave. But more than that, it is a celebration of the moments together that add up to a lifetime of memories.
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Just Me and My Dad
Buy from:Little Critter can’t wait to go camping with his dad. Even though things don’t go quite as planned, they still have a blast. Big and little critters alike will delight in their silly misadventures!
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You might also like:
- Dads on the Picture Books They Love Reading to Their Kids
- Diverse Picture Books That Celebrate Dads
- Unique Parenting Books for Dads
- Why Should Dads Read with Their Kids? I’m Glad You Asked …
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2016 and updated in 2025.