Are you’re building a Father’s Day reading list or want to honor the father figures in your little one’s life? Either way, books are a wonderful way to celebrate all things Dad. From playful board books for babies to emotional stories for teens, here’s a curated list of children’s books that celebrate dads; some funny, some touching, and all unforgettable.
Let’s dive into stories that show just how special dads truly are.
This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a tiny commission- likely spent on more books, obviously!
Children’s books that celebrate dads
Books for Babies (0–1 year)
1. With Dad by My Side by Soosh
This one’s a personal favorite and a total tearjerker, in the best way! With beautiful watercolor illustrations, this book captures the tender love between a daughter and her giant-of-a-dad. It’s a visual hug and a great gift for first-time dads.
2. Daddy Hugs by Karen Katz
Simple, sweet, and perfect for bedtime snuggles, this counting book highlights all the different types of hugs daddies give- morning hugs, goodnight hugs, and everything in between.
3. Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
Another favourite of mine, this classic can be about any parent. The father-son dynamic between Big Nutbrown Hare and Little Nutbrown Hare makes this a beautiful bedtime story about love that stretches to the moon and back.
Books for Toddlers (1–3 years)
4. My Dad Is Amazing! by Hello!Lucky
A super fun and colorful board book featuring a lovable yeti as “Dad,” this one is silly, bold, and perfect for toddlers who love to giggle.
5. I Love My Daddy Because… by Laurel Porter-Gaylord
A gentle book with sweet animal dads showing care in different ways. It’s interactive and a great read-aloud book that opens up space for toddlers to talk about their dad.
6. Why Is My Hair Curly? by Lakshmi Iyer
While this book is geared toward slightly older kids, toddlers will love the illustrations. The story features a warm and wonderful single dad who encourages curiosity, identity, and love.
Books for Preschoolers & Early Readers (3–6 years)
7. Because I’m Your Dad by Ahmet Zappa
This joyful book is written by a rockstar dad and celebrates all the goofy, fun, and imaginative things dads do; from eating dessert first to building epic pillow forts.
8. Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry
This one’s an award-winner! It’s about a dad learning to style his daughter’s hair. It’s sweet, funny, and empowering, showing how dads step up, even when they’re out of their depth.
9. The Daddy Book by Todd Parr
Bold colors and simple sentences make this a hit with younger readers. Parr celebrates all kinds of dads- bald dads, silly dads, cooking dads, in a joyful, inclusive way.
Books for Middle Grade Readers (7–12 years)
10. Danny, the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl
This classic Roald Dahl story features a strong father-son bond, filled with adventure, wit, and warmth. It’s a great reminder that being a dad isn’t about perfection, but presence.
11. The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall
A widowed dad raising four daughters- need I say more? The father in this charming family tale is thoughtful, understanding, and absolutely loveable. Perfect for tweens who enjoy slice-of-life family reads.
12. The Boy Who Played with Light by Lavanya Karthik
A beautifully illustrated biography of Satyajit Ray, written for children. It explores his early years and the influence of his father and grandfather. A perfect read for kids who love stories of creativity, legacy, and family.
📖 Books for Teens
13. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Yes, this is a powerful YA novel about race, identity, and activism, but Starr’s relationship with her father Maverick is one of its shining stars. He’s strong, supportive, and present- a rare gem in teen fiction.
Bonus: Books that Honor Granddads & Father Figures
14. Grandpa Green by Lane Smith
This gentle and poetic picture book is an ode to grandfathers who nurture and shape our lives in quiet, green-thumbed ways. A beautiful bedtime read that’ll make you misty-eyed.
15. The Paperboy by Dav Pilkey
Subtle but powerful, this quiet morning tale shows a young boy and his father silently working together before the sun rises. It’s poetic and calming- a favorite among minimalist readers.
Like it? Pin it!
🌈 Why These Books Matter
In a world where moms often take center stage in parenting books, it’s refreshing and necessary to shine a spotlight on dads too. These stories show dads as caregivers, comedians, protectors, and dreamers. Whether you’re reading to your baby or bonding over a bedtime chapter with your teen, children’s books that celebrate dads are perfect for nurturing that special bond.
So go ahead and add one (or five) of these to your bookshelf and celebrate the superhero in your little one’s life.
Have a favorite dad-themed book that didn’t make the list? Drop it in the comments as I’m always looking for heartwarming dad reads!
Want to make it extra special this Father’s Day? Gift one of these with a handwritten note inside. Because, Books + memories = magic.
P.S. You might also enjoy:
📚 Books Featuring Strong Father Figures
This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla
in collaboration with Mister Tikku.
I’m not a parent myself and didn’t grow up with a dad-and-kid reading routine, but this list really warmed my heart. It made me think about how special those moments must be. Loved the variety in the books you shared!
You’ve compiled a fantastic list of books that’ve something for everyone, Shalini. So helpful when it comes to picking a book for Father’s Day.
My my..an exhaustive list and very useful to me. I can keep picking from this list to gift my grand nieces.
Chandrika R Krishnan recently posted…Life is Like Hot Chocolate- A Story
Other than Why is My Hair Curly, all the names are new to me. Great to know about this list.
That’s quite an exhaustive list. I would like to read this one, I Love My Daddy Because… by Laurel Porter-Gaylord, very interesting. And you’re right, most books celebrate mothers.
The Hate You Give has been on my radar for a while. I love how wholesome this list is, Shalini. Definitely bookmarking this for gifting to new dads
Manali recently posted…Was It Love, or Just a Season?
I don’t mind reading kids books, because they have their own magic that brings nostalgia and smile, right?
OMG this is such an wholesomely curated list. I love reading children’s books. They have perfect combination of pure innocence and gentle reminders. Thank you for this wonderful blog!
Such a lovely collection. I especially liked how these books highlight the quieter, nurturing side of fatherhood.
Adding a few of these to my gifting list,thank you for curating with heart.
This list is so sweet and thoughtful. Books really are such a special way to celebrate dads and create lasting memories with kids. “With Dad by My Side” sounds like a perfect tearjerker…. adding it to my list already. Thanks for sharing these gems.
Dads are undoubtedly the biggest blessing in life. The books listed seem to be filled with colourful pictures. Would definitely try to pick a few from the list.
This is a heart-warming list you have compiled with so much patience. Yes, moms are given more importance, but dads will always be the heroes of their kids. Thank you for sharing this list. I will surely try to read them all.
This list warmed my heart! As a mom, I love sharing these tender father-child stories with my kids—it reminds us how special dads truly are. Books like With Dad by My Side always bring tears of gratitude. Thank you for curating this!
Such a heartwarming list! We haven’t read any of these yet, but they all sound so lovely. I’ll definitely choose a few from this list to read with my son. And next year, I’m surely gifting a book for Father’s Day, with a sweet little note inside!
With Dad by My Side is such a heart-melter! I read it with my little one and teared up instantly. A perfect tribute to the quiet strength of fatherhood.
Thank you for sharing such a lovely list of books. Just the covers look so good. I am surely going to share this post with the family. I am also going to refer to it next time I want to buy a book for them.
Such a great compiled list to read on Father’s Day. Except for The Hate You Give, I have yet to read the rest of the books. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for sharing 15 different books about bonding with Dad. I find these great gift ideas and I myself enjoy reading children’s books.They have an innocence and purity that we lose as adults.
Books like ‘Daddy’s Favorite Sound’ and ‘When Dad Showed Me the Universe’ beautifully show how dads listen, teach, and help kids notice the wonders in everyday life. Totally timeless and touching. Thanks for sharing some cute suggestions for cute readers.
I didn’t know there were so many age-appropriate books written for dads. I would love to get the Satyajit Ray book for my 10yo who is currently glued to the world of Hogwarts!
I enjoy the cat fight, hilarious acts and again that loving banter between my son and his dad… and all these books hold the real charm of father and child relationship. Very beautiful and lovely list you shared.
OMG I never knew that there were so many themed on dad..this is definitely going into my TBR
Love your recommendations! I will get one of them for my daughters. But I feel books like these will have a great impact on kids.
Dad books are usually rarely mentioned and read because in India, parenting is sort of lop sided. But I love this list. Dads need to be celebrated too. They are the unsung heroes!