23 Father’s Day Books for Kids to Read Together
Father’s Day books for kids became part of our tradition when my son was little and wanted to “read something just for Dad.”
Some of those stories turned into yearly favorites—ones we still pull off the shelf every June.
From sweet board books to laugh-out-loud picture books and even chapter reads we tackled together, these books brought us closer in simple, meaningful ways.
If you’re looking to celebrate with stories that spark connection, these picks offer just that.
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Father’s Day Picture Books
When my son was younger, picture books were our go-to way to slow down and connect—especially around Father’s Day.
These were the ones he reached for most, either because they made him laugh or gave us a quiet moment before bed.
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Goodnight Moon was part of our bedtime routine for years. Even when he knew every word, my son still wanted to say goodnight to the cow jumping over the moon. It’s calm, familiar, and always felt like a gentle way to end the day with Dad.
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
We read Where the Wild Things Are during a time when big emotions were hard to talk about. Max’s wild adventure made those feelings easier to explore. It’s one of those stories that stuck with us—simple, powerful, and a little bit wild.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
The Very Hungry Caterpillar was more than just a story—it became an interactive read where we’d count, name foods, and talk about change. It’s short, bright, and perfect for curious little hands and minds.
Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina
Caps for Sale made us laugh every time. The monkeys copying the peddler never got old, and my son loved acting it out. If you want a fun, silly read that turns into a game afterward, this one’s a winner.
Books for the Youngest Readers
These were the first books we added to our collection—short, sweet, and perfect for little laps and little hands. They’re ideal for babies and toddlers who love being read to by Dad.
Daddy Hugs by Karen Katz
We read Daddy Hugs so often the pages started to curl. It’s cheerful and repetitive in the best way—great for toddlers who like routine and predictability, especially when it comes from Dad.
I Love My Daddy Because… by Laurel Porter-Gaylord
I Love My Daddy Because… stood out for the animal illustrations. My son would name each animal while we read, and the gentle phrases about what dads do made it a calming read at bedtime or naptime.
Celebrating the Father-Child Bond
Some of the sweetest stories we’ve read are about the connection between dads and their kids. These books feel extra special around Father’s Day—and a few of them have been regulars on our shelf for years.
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
Guess How Much I Love You was one of those books we read on repeat. My son would always try to outdo Little Nutbrown Hare—“I love you to the moon… and past it… and back again!” Simple, sweet, and perfect for bedtime with Dad.
Add a Father’s Day coloring bookmark to make it even more special!
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
There’s something really calming about Owl Moon. The quiet walk in the snow, the hush of the forest—it always settled us down. It’s not flashy, but it captures that quiet kind of love so beautifully.
The Daddy Book by Todd Parr
My son loved how The Daddy Book showed all kinds of dads—funny, serious, loud, quiet. The bright pages and silly examples kept him giggling, and it was such a good way to talk about what makes dads special in their own way.
Fun and Interactive Reads
These books always got my son talking, laughing, or jumping in to be part of the story. They’re playful and silly in the best way—great for dads who like to keep storytime light and fun.
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
The first time we read Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, my son shouted “NO!” so loud he scared the dog. Every read turned into a full performance, with Dad as the Pigeon and lots of giggles along the way. It’s one we never minded reading again (and again).
Press Here by Hervé Tullet
Press Here felt like magic the first time we read it. My son took it so seriously—pressing, shaking, tilting—like he was in charge of the story. It’s such a fun book for dads to read with curious, hands-on kids.
Add these to our free Father’s Day printables for even more fun.
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury
We treated We’re Going on a Bear Hunt like a real adventure. Dad would do the sound effects, and my son would act out the swishy grass and splashy river. It’s one of those books that’s more than just a story—it becomes a whole game.
Stories of Fathers and Their Children
These books really focus on the relationship between a child and their dad. Some are sweet, some are silly, and a couple hit that emotional note just right.
Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
Jabari Jumps really hit home the first time we read it. Watching Jabari work through his nerves—with his dad right there, calm and patient—felt so real. It sparked a good talk about being brave and knowing someone’s always got your back.
My Dad Used to Be So Cool by Keith Negley
My son thought My Dad Used to Be So Cool was hilarious—mostly because he couldn’t picture his own dad in a rock band. It’s funny and sweet, and it gave us a chance to talk about all the things parents do for their kids behind the scenes.
Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me by Eric Carle
There’s something quietly magical about Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me. My son loved the idea of a dad climbing into the sky just to bring back the moon. The fold-out pages were always a hit too—simple story, big impact.
Chapter Books for Young Readers
If you’re still building your collection of Father’s Day books for kids, these chapter book picks offer great longer reads to share together.
As my son got older, we started reading longer books together—sometimes switching off chapters, sometimes just listening. These were the ones that stuck with us, either because the stories were great or the characters felt real.
Danny, the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl
Danny, the Champion of the World was our first big “dad and son” chapter book. The relationship between Danny and his dad is at the heart of it—fun, a little wild, and full of trust. We read it in short bursts before bed and talked about the pranks for days.
The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall
I didn’t expect to love The Penderwicks as much as we did, but the mix of family, summer adventures, and their kind, steady dad won us over. It felt like an old-fashioned story in the best way—gentle, funny, and warm.
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
We read Because of Winn-Dixie during a season where we were talking more about emotions and friendship. The way the story weaves in the girl’s relationship with her dad was subtle but powerful—and the dog, of course, made it even better.
Nonfiction and Educational Books
We’ve always mixed in a few nonfiction titles, especially ones that sparked a “Did you know…?” moment. These were fun for dads who like sharing facts or turning storytime into a mini science lesson.
How People Learned to Fly by Fran Hodgkins and True Kelley
How People Learned to Fly led us down a whole rabbit hole of paper planes and bird watching. It’s packed with bite-sized facts but still easy to follow. My son loved how it explained big ideas without feeling like homework.
Dads Are the Original Hipsters by Brad Getty
Okay, Dads Are the Original Hipsters is more for older kids (and honestly, a bit for the dads too). It’s funny and full of retro photos—my son flipped through it with his dad and they both laughed at the outfits. Light, quirky, and just fun to look through together.
Unique and Special Reads
These don’t all focus on dads directly, but they still felt meaningful when we read them around Father’s Day. The stories are thoughtful, a little different, and stayed with us long after we finished the last page.
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson
Even though Last Stop on Market Street is about a boy and his grandmother, the message about noticing beauty in everyday moments really stuck with us. It’s one of those quiet, reflective stories that makes you pause—and it opened up some great conversations.
Dad By My Side by Soosh
Dad By My Side is one of the most beautifully illustrated books we’ve ever read. My son loved pointing out all the little details in each picture. The story itself is simple but touching—showing the ways dads show up, big and small.
Made for Me by Zack Bush and Gregorio De Lauretis
Made for Me is one of those books that hits you in the heart, especially if you’re reading it with a baby or toddler. It’s written from a dad’s perspective, and the love in it is so clear. A really sweet pick for new or soon-to-be dads.
No matter your child’s age, these Father’s Day books for kids offer a chance to slow down and share something meaningful together.
Last Updated on 1 May 2025 by Clare Brown