Books About Dads

Last updated: May 27, 2026

From the bear who adopts a lonely cub in the picture book Little Cub to the mistreated sharecropper in the Newbery-winning Sounder, there are plenty of exceptional dads in books. Check out our list of wonderful stories that explore and celebrate the father-child relationship. To find more great reads, explore our Books About Families and 50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12.

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Dad book cover: Penguin and chick illustration under bold "dad" text.

BOOK

Dad

age 2+

A tender, visually striking celebration of fatherhood.

Christian Robinson Picture Book (2026)

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Guess How Much I Love You Poster Image

BOOK

Guess How Much I Love You

age 2+

Sentimental bunny tale tugs on the heartstrings.

Sam McBratney Family Life (1996)

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I Love You Always and Forever Poster Image

BOOK

I Love You Always and Forever

age 2+

Heartwarming, huggy mouse tale for tots.

Jonathan Emmett Picture Book (2007)

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Monster & Son Poster Image

BOOK

Monster & Son

age 2+

Monstrously funny -- and sweet -- book perfect for bedtime.

David LaRochelle Picture Book (2016)

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Your Baby's First Word Will Be DADA Poster Image

BOOK

Your Baby's First Word Will Be DADA

age 2+

Kid animals speak for themselves in cute, dad-centric book.

Jimmy Fallon Picture Book (2015)

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Dad by My Side Poster Image

BOOK

Dad by My Side

age 3+

Charming book celebrates daughter-dad relationship.

Soosh Picture Book (2018)

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Girl Dad Book Cover

BOOK

Girl Dad

age 3+

Celebration of fathers and daughters challenges stereotypes.

Sean Williams Picture Book (2022)

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Hair Love Poster Image

BOOK

Hair Love

age 3+

Lively, loving celebration of a dad, daughter, and her hair.

Matthew A. Cherry Picture Book (2019)

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Hush, Little Bunny Poster Image

BOOK

Hush, Little Bunny

age 3+

Papa bunny protects his little one in sweet spring tale.

David Ezra Stein Picture Book (2019)

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Just Because You're Mine Poster Image

BOOK

Just Because You're Mine

age 3+

Fun look at a father's unconditional love great for bedtime.

Sally Lloyd-Jones Picture Book (2011)

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Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale Poster Image

BOOK

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale

age 3+

Hilarious tale of a toddler outing gone terribly wrong.

Mo Willems Picture Book (2004)

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Little Cub Poster Image

BOOK

Little Cub

age 3+

Old Bear finds Little Cub, ends loneliness in sweet story.

Olivier Dunrea Picture Book (2012)

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Nelly Gnu and Daddy Too Poster Image

BOOK

Nelly Gnu and Daddy Too

age 3+

Cheery portrait of a fun day with Daddy.

Anna Dewdney Picture Book (2014)

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Oh, Oh, Baby Boy! Poster Image

BOOK

Oh, Oh, Baby Boy!

age 3+

Baby grows to man and dad in joyous cycle of life.

Janine Macbeth Picture Book (2013)

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Papa's Coming Home book cover: Papa greets daughter at the airport while his son and husband, carrying a 7-layer chocolate cake, run toward them

BOOK

Papa's Coming Home

age 3+

Kids await their papa's return in cute queer family tale.

Chasten Buttigieg Picture Book (2025)

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Rory the Dinosaur: Me and My Dad Poster Image

BOOK

Rory the Dinosaur: Me and My Dad

age 3+

Charming, fresh take on the father-son bond.

Liz Climo Picture Book (2015)

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Bathe the Cat Book Cover

BOOK

Bathe the Cat

age 4+

Hilarious, relatable tale showcases a diverse family.

Alice B. McGinty Picture Book (2022)

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Black Boy, Black Boy Book Cover

BOOK

Black Boy, Black Boy

age 4+

A beautifully illustrated celebration of Black men and boys.

Ali Kamanda , Jorge Redmond Picture Book (2022)

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Daddy & Dada Poster Image

BOOK

Daddy & Dada

age 4+

Lovely picture book shows many ways families are made.

Ryan Brockington , Isaac Webster Picture Book (2021)

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Daddy and Me and the Rhyme to Be

BOOK

Daddy and Me and the Rhyme to Be

age 4+

Rhyme and wordplay make an upbeat, colorful family read.

Chris Bridges , Halcyon Person Picture Book (2022)

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