Father’s Day is a lovely excuse to slow down and spend time together — and story time is one of the best ways to do it. These Father’s Day books are perfect for younger children to share with Dad, and several work just as well for grandads, uncles or any special man in a child’s life.
Don’t miss our best content straight to your inbox! Sign up now for our free newsletter, packed with fun ideas and things to do with the kids, family-friendly recipes, expert advice, parenting tips and great competitions.
Whether Dad reads every night or only occasionally, whether he’s young or older, close by or far away, these picture books about dads are made for sharing. Pick one of these Father’s Day books this year and start a new family tradition.
You may also enjoy 15 Homemade Father’s Day Gifts Your Child Will Love To Make
Father’s Day Books to Give Dad
1. My Dad by Anthony Browne
A glorious mix of childhood boasting and daddy exaggeration, My Dad is a beautiful book that celebrates everyday dads. This dad, in his “dodgy” brown dressing gown, mirrors all dads through the eyes of their children.
Among other things, “he can jump right over the moon” and “he makes me laugh. A lot.” Cute and lovely.
2. My Amazing Dad by Ross Collins
My Amazing Dad is a sweet story about friendship and fathers. The baby crocodile doesn’t really know what his dad does all day, and he’s worried because all his friends’ dads seem so cool.
By the end, he discovers his own dad is pretty amazing too. This book is a particularly good choice for Father’s Day if Dad is any sort of teacher or coach.
You may also enjoy 15 Homemade Father’s Day Gifts Your Child Will Love to Make
3. A Present for My Dad by Pooter
A Present For My Dad is a lovely gift book that tells the story of a child’s journey deciding what to get their dad — all the wonderfully wild ideas that come from a child’s point of view — before settling on a pair of colourful socks instead.
Each book comes wrapped, with a gift tag, a children’s story, and a pair of socks included. There’s also A Present for My Grandpa in the same series, worth checking retailer stock for.
4. I Love You Daddy by Catherine Vase
I Love You Daddy is a cute little book for younger children. This little bear thinks his daddy is as amazing as all his favourite things: “If you were a meal, you’d be a big bowl of spaghetti, twisty, twirly and very, very messy!”
The bright, vibrant illustrations make it especially appealing to toddlers.
5. The Great Explorer by Chris Judge
Tom’s dad is a famous explorer. But when he gets lost on a trip to the North Pole, Tom has to use all his ingenuity to go on his own rescue mission. Along the way he meets beautiful icebergs and the northern lights — as well as a giant walrus and a terrible snowstorm.
The Great Explorer is a beautifully illustrated adventure story from the author of The Lonely Beast.
6. The Trouble with Dad by Babette Cole
The Trouble With Dad is a zero-to-hero tale of an ordinary dad who builds extraordinary robots in his garden shed. This book is a great example of Cole’s quirky storytelling combined with hilariously detailed illustrations.
All her characters are likeable, and this book is a real delight.
You may also enjoy 100 Best Ever Bedtime Stories for Kids
7. Mr Bear Babysits by Debi Gliori
Mr Bear Babysits is a beautifully illustrated book and a heartwarming tribute to great dads everywhere. Mr Bear is sent to babysit for the neighbours and, at first, is completely out of his depth as the children run rings around him. But as the evening goes on, he takes charge — and discovers he’s not just good at this, he actually enjoys it.
The final image of Mr Bear with his own baby asleep on his chest will bring a smile to even the hardest of hearts.
8. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen & Helen Oxenbury
This swishy swashy, splash splosh, squelch squerch, stumble trip, hoooo woooo, tip-toe adventure has been a read-aloud favourite for decades. The delightful illustrations in We’re Going On a Bear Hunt show a man going bear hunting with four children and a dog.
The exact nature of the relationship is never spelled out, making this a great Father’s Day book for dads, grandparents, uncles, friends or any other special man in your child’s life — particularly one who loves a good adventure.
9. Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney & Anita Jeram
This much-loved tale of Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare, preparing for bed and comparing how much they love each other, has been a family favourite for decades — and with good reason.
Guess How Much I Love You is the perfect book to snuggle up with, and because the relationship is never defined, it also makes a wonderful Father’s Day choice for granddads or any other man who loves a child “right up to the moon — and back.”
10. Can’t You Sleep, Little Bear? by Martin Waddell & Barbara Firth
The premise of Can’t You Sleep, Little Bear? — Little Bear refusing to settle at bedtime — will feel very familiar to any parent. The sideline about poor Big Bear trying to finish his book amid the chaos will amuse adult readers, while children love the repetition and the cosy ending.
Again, Big Bear could be any relation to Little Bear, making this a lovely gift for father figures beyond Dad too.
You may also enjoy Download Your FREE My Dad Printable for Father’s Day
11. The Heart and the Bottle by Oliver Jeffers
The Heart and the Bottle is a stunningly beautiful book from the author of Lost and Found and many others. At its centre is a little girl “whose head was filled with all the curiosities of the world,” who shares them with a man in an armchair. Who exactly he is is never explained, but he’s clearly a huge presence in her life — so when, one day, his chair is empty, she decides to put her heart in a bottle to keep it safe.
This touching story offers a gentle, sensitive way to talk about the loss of a father figure, and it’s also warmly recommended for adults dealing with loss.
You may also enjoy A Father’s Day Poem to Print Out & Cherish
Frequently Asked Questions
What age group are these Father’s Day books suitable for?
Most of these picture books suit younger children, roughly ages 2 to 7, though several — including We’re Going on a Bear Hunt and Guess How Much I Love You — remain firm favourites well into the primary school years.
Are these books only for dads, or can they suit other father figures too?
Many of them work beautifully for grandads, uncles, or any other special man in a child’s life. Books like We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, Guess How Much I Love You and Can’t You Sleep, Little Bear? never specify the exact relationship, which makes them flexible gifts.
Where can I find these Father’s Day books?
All of these titles are widely available through bookshops, libraries and online retailers. It’s worth checking your local bookshop first, both to support them and to see the books in person before you buy.
More Ways to Celebrate Father’s Day
- 15 Homemade Father’s Day Gifts Your Child Will Love to Make
- 100 Best Ever Bedtime Stories for Kids, Recommended by Parents
- A Father’s Day Poem to Print Out & Cherish
- Download Your Free My Dad Printable for Father’s Day
If you’re planning ahead, why not save this list of Father’s Day books for later, or browse more of our Father’s Day gift and activity ideas for more inspiration?
Don’t miss our best content straight to your inbox! Sign up for our free newsletter for weekly ideas, family-friendly recipes, parenting tips and competitions.
