12 Great Picture Books to Celebrate Father’s Day

Dad By My Side, by Soosh
This sweet book actually started out as a series of illustrations posted on Instagram by author and illustrator Soosh that went viral and it’s easy to see why. These gorgeous watercolor illustrations of a girl and her larger than life father are a lovely accompaniment to the simple and heartfelt text about a beautiful father-daughter relationship. “He teaches me. And I teach him too.” A great read for Father’s Day, or any other day you need to be reminded to reach for the stars.

Pet Dad, by Elanna Allen
Plum wants a pet; Plum’s dad does not want a pet. At all. So Plum decides to do the next best thing and turn her father into a pet! But taking care of a pet grown up is harder than it looks (they like to eat “disgusting foods, like kale and quinoa” for one). Plum soon discovers the secret to caring for this pet is easy; he just requires lots of hugs. A heartwarming book, just in time for Father’s Day!

A Father’s Love, by Hannah Holt and Yee Von Chan
Summer also means it’s time to honor fathers, and this charming book does a terrific job of that. Holt’s sweet rhymes and Chan’s adorable pictures pay tribute to the dads of the animal kindgdom, from the lions who babysit their cubs while the moms go hunting, to the pygmy marmosets who tote their babies on their backs, to the emus who solo parent their hatchlings, often “losing 15 percent or more of his body weight while tending the eggs,” according to the animal facts in the back of A Father’s Love.

Hair Love, by Matthew A. Cherry and Vashti Harrison
Speaking of fathers rising to the challenge of parenting, Hair Love by former NFL star turned inventor, film director, writer, and producer (whew!) Matthew A. Cherry is a love letter to any dad who’s ever looked at his daughter’s unruly hair and said, “Yes, I can tame this!” Little Zuri explains that her hair “kinks, coils, and curls every which way.” Her dad thinks Zuri’s hair is marvelous, of course, no matter what shape it happens to take that day, but some special occasions call for a tidy ‘do. Daddy’s first attempts to style Zuri’s hair go awry—three lopsided puffs, raggedy braids, and full ’70s afro. But soon he figures out what the experts know—there’s a video for that!—and Zuri

My Papi Has a Motorcycle, by Isabel Quintero and Zeke Peña 
This heartfelt book showcases the tight bond between a daughter and her papi as they speed around their ever changing immigrant neighborhood on his blue motorcycle. As Daisy Ramona and her papi zip through the colorful city you get a snapshot of this community—passing brightly colored murals and houses, yapping dogs and the new homes that are replacing the citrus groves. The poetic language paired with vibrant illustrations make this book a delight to read, and you’ll want to stay in this world for a little longer after you finish the last page.

Just Me and My Dad, by Mercer Mayer
Going camping with Dad is a rite of passage, from picking out the campsite, to pitching the tent, and fishing in the river. Mercer Mayer’s Little Critter enjoys time with just his dad in this cute and funny picture book that may inspire a camping trip of your own this summer.

Guess How Much I Love You, by Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram
With love as high as they can reach and high as they can hop, both Big Nutbrown Hare and Little Nutbrown Hare show their amount of love for each other in Guess How Much I Love You. A perfect book for father and child that expresses the enormous amount of love a parent has for a child, this is a classic that deserves a spot on your bookshelf for Father’s Day (and every day).

The Berenstain Bears and the Papa’s Day Surprise, by Stan Berenstain
Need ideas for how to celebrate Dad? Kids will love reading this book about how the Berenstain Bears surprised their Papa on Father’s Day—and maybe it will help them come up with some surprises of their own!

A Father’s Day Thank You, by Janet Nolan and Kathi Ember
Are your kids wondering what to get Dad for Father’s Day? In this book, Harvey isn’t sure either. His siblings seem to know exactly what presents to give their dad. But what should Harvey give? This is an adorable book about what’s really important.

A Perfect Father’s Day, by Eve Bunting and Susan Meddaugh
Susie tells her dad they are going on an outing for Father’s Day—when he asks if he may drive, the four-year-old cutely replies “Certainly!” This is a sweet father-and-daughter book all about Father’s Day.

Froggy’s Day with Dad, by Jonathan London and Frank Remkiewicz
Froggy and his dad spend an adventurous day together, including riding in bumper boats and playing miniature golf. But how will Froggy’s golf game turn out? Their day is full of excitement and fun, just like this sweet story.

Your Baby’s First Word Will Be DADA by Jimmy Fallon, illustrated by Miguel Ordonez
If it’s Dad’s first Father’s Day, this might be the book to buy, especially if he is trying to teach his little baby to say “Dada!” (before the baby says “Mama!”). Filled with cute illustrations of daddy animals and their babies, the book shows a variety of dads trying to get their respective babies to say Dada—and instead all they get is “Baa!” or a “Quack!”