The 10 Best Children's Books About Fathers

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Children's books about fathers can be a wonderful way to teach your students the importance of a male role model in their life. Each of these books features a father figure in the story and is appropriate for children ages three and older. Use these stories as an introduction to your Father's Day activities or simply to show students the significance their father has in their life.

Our Top Picks

The Night Before Father's Day by Natasha Wing

This story uses the same lyrical rhyme of the beloved "Night Before Christmas." A mother and her children surprise the dad by cleaning out the garage and washing the car. This story is an introduction to showing children the special things they can do for their father on Father's Day.

The Ten Best Things About My Dad by Christine Loomis

The main character in this book talks about all the fun things that his dad does that makes him special. The father reads stories, scares away the monsters, tells jokes, and teaches him right from wrong. It is the perfect book to read for Father's Day because the children can relate to the young narrator in the story.

What Dads Can't Do by Douglas Wood

This fun and amusing picture book talks about the things that dads cannot do that regular people can. Such as, they can push but cannot swing, they cannot cross the street without holding hands, and they cannot sleep late. Kids will get a kick out of the illustrations and love coming up with their own ideas of what their dad cannot do.

Just Me and My Dad by Mercer Mayer

This classic critter book shows the tale of a father and son camping trip. Along the way, the little critter makes some mistakes but manages to turn things around. It’s a delightful story that shows children their dad will always be there and things can get better.

The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish by Neil Gaiman

This delightful witty book tells the tale of how a young boy traded in his dad for two goldfish because all his dad did was sit and read the newspaper. When the boy's mother finds out what he did, she tells him to go get him back, but it wasn't as easy as he thought it would be. The father gets traded all around town! This whimsical yet sarcastic book is a fun read for upper elementary children.

My Father Knows the Names of Things by Jane Yolen

This story is the perfect book to show children how a father knows it all. The father in this story shares his knowledge of the world with his child while they take a walk together.

A Perfect Father's Day by Eve Bunting

Eve Bunting's lyrical text makes it the perfect read for Father's Day. A young child takes her father on a fun filled adventure for Father's Day. This is a cute read for kindergarteners through first grade.

A Wild Father's Day by Sean Callahan

After two young children give their dad a Father's Day card that says "Have a Wild Father's Day" on it, the dad insists that the children act like animals for the day. The illustrations are simple and the repetition in this story is great. It will help the children predict some of the things that are going to happen next in the story.

My Dad's a Hero by Rebecca Christiansen

Trying to explain to children about the war is not an easy subject to pull off. The author takes this tender subject, and has found a warm and endearing way to show children how to be proud of their father for serving in the military.

The Berenstain Bears and the Papa's Day Surprise by Stan Berenstain

This classic Berenstain Bears book features Papa as a grumpy old bear that thinks that Father's Day is only a greeting card holiday. So when the day approaches and he doesn't receive anything, he is very upset. This is a great read for Father's Day and teaches children the importance of keeping secrets and lying.