Looking for the perfect Father's Day gift idea for dad? Something personal, with sentimental meaning, but that can be used over and over... I've found the perfect picture books to celebrate Father's Day 2022 with dad. Picture books are a great way to convey feelings and they can be read together with dad for years to come. Whether you're after heartfelt, hilarious or heroic stories, there's something on this list for every type of dad young or old.
When our first daughter was born I started the tradition of giving picture books to her dad for Fathers Day. I go with her to pick a new one each year. We usually try to pick books with characters that match her dad's personality or storylines that correlate with something that's happening in our lives at the time. We also include a little handwritten note to dad inside the cover. When she was really young I would write it for her, then as she got older she told me what to write and this year will be particularly exciting because she can write it herself.
I love that it's a tradition she looks forward to each year and it also means we're building our own little library of dad related books. I can just imagine their dad in the future looking through the books after the girls have moved out, remembering reading together when they were little. If you want to start your own Fathers Day book tradition, or you just love books, these are our current top picks.
PICTURE BOOKS TO READ WITH DAD THIS FATHERS DAY
WILD ABOUT DADS
Phillip Bunting
Good dads come in many different shapes and species, not just humans. Many wild dads go to great lengths to give their children the best chance of growing up healthy, smart and strong. Get ready to learn fatherly tricks from a whole lot of dads, great and small. Philip Bunting celebrates fathers with this laugh-out-loud book that combines his signature humour and glorious illustrations with fascinating facts about what fatherhood looks like across the animal kingdom.
MY DAD IS AWESOME
BLUEY & BINGO
One of the most famous cartoon dad's on TV has to be Bandit from Australia's own Bluey. Bluey has been a phenomenal success since airing on ABC KIDS in October 2018, amassing legions of dedicated fans and taking the coveted position of being the most watched program ever on ABC iView. Bluey is now aired globally thanks to a distribution deal with BBC and Disney.
What we most love about Bluey is that it mainly focuses on Bluey's dad Bandit and his relationship with his daughters {Bluey and Bingo} and how they approach big issues through play. My Dad Is Awesome is a book written by Bluey and Bingo that includes all the funny and heartwarming reasons why Bandit is a true blue awesome dad. You can find even more Bluey books here.
HOW NOT TO ANNOY DAD
Dave Hughes + Holly Ife | Heath McKenzie
This is the book we've bought for dad this year. To be honest the fact it's written by Dave Hughes and illustrated by Heath McKenzie is what originally attracted me to it, we love both of them in this household.
This book follows dad throughout a day with his kids and is a pretty hilarious {and accurate} portrayal of daily life with kids. From requests for multiple meals to different coloured spoons, to needing to pee right now... I dare say every single page will be familiar to all parents. How {not} to annoy dad is a fun book to read aloud with dad any day of the year, not just fathers day.
MY DAD IS FANTASTIC
Roald Dahl
My Dad is FANTASTIC. He's clever, kind and wise. You'll know he's really smiling, by the twinkle in his eyes! A read-aloud rhyming board book that celebrates dads everywhere - from their most FANTASTIC moments to their most magnificent WHIZZPOPS!
I LOVE DAD {WITH THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR}
Eric Carle
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is one of the most iconic picture books for young children and I Love You Dad showcases Eric Carle's unique, vibrant illustrations to tell dad all the reasons why you love him. Unlike a lot of other Fathers Day picture books, this one is written to dad rather than about him. It's a lovely book to read aloud together or for emergent readers to read to dad.
MY DAD'S THE COOLEST
Rosie Smith | Bruce Whatley
Whether big or small, feathered or furry, dads always know how to make us laugh. My dads the coolest because he is fun and crazy about me... what about yours? My Dad's the Coolest captures the fun-loving bond between father and child exploring activities that they do together like tickling, playing and exploring. We got this book a few years ago when bub was still quite young and it's still a favourite.
Buy Now: Book Depository | Amazon | QBD Books | Booktopia
MY DAD IS AMAZING
Sabrina Moyle | Eunice Moyle
My Dad is Amazing uses vibrant illustrations, a yeti {and other animals} and a good dose of humour to celebrate all the characteristics that make dad amazing. Whether dad is cool, tough, cuddly, brave or funny, this book has something for every dad. It also has a special message at the end for all the little people reading the book too.
I LOVE YOU, DADDY PIG
It looks like just another normal day for Peppa and George, Daddy Pig takes them to the supermarket, then for lunch with Granny and Grandpa Pig, before popping in to work for a while. But super Daddy Pig makes their day anything but ordinary by adding lots of fun and excitement to everything they do! I Love You, Daddy Pig would be the perfect fathers day gift from a Peppa Pig fan.
Buy Now: Book Depository | Amazon | QBD Books
TIME FOR BED, DADDY
Dave Hackett
Come on, Daddy, it's time for bed. But I'm not tired, says Daddy. How can a little girl put her daddy to bed when he doesn't want to go? In every household with children, from the moment that bedtime is announced until the light is finally switched off, bedtime is full of fun and frustration, puns and procrastination. From getting in the bath and putting on PJs to brushing teeth and reading a story, Time for Bed, Daddy flips the fun on bedtime, celebrating the special relationship that fathers share with their children.
MY DAD THINKS HE'S FUNNY
Katrina Germein | Tom Jellett
Everyone loves a dad joke right? Even after hearing them 1000 times. The ideal gift book for anyone whose dad makes them laugh -- or roll their eyes. When his son says "I'm hungry," Dad says, "Hello, Hungry. Pleased to meet you." My Dad THINKS He's Funny is full of different dad jokes, so whether you have a dad who already knows allll the dad jokes, or one who needs to brush up on them, this book has him covered. It's a bit of a long picture book so best suited to kids aged 5+
Buy Now: Book Depository | Amazon | QBD Books
MY DAD USED TO BE SO COOL
Keith Negley
Did your dad used to be cool? Wondering what happened to his rock band playing, skateboarding days? My Dad Used to Be so Cool is a funny and relatable story that shows children how their parents are still cool after all, even if it’s not in quite the same way! This book is great for younger children as it's in Negley’s unique style where words are minimal and the emotive illustrations really carry the story along.
MY DAD SNORES
John Williamson
My dad snores so much that no-one else can sleep. What are we going to do? Your dad, does he snore too? My Dad Snores is a hilariously relatable picture book by award winning Australian musician John Williamson. He hysterically describes the frustration snoring causing the whole family and some of the out of the box ways people try to fix it. If your dad snores too you'll love this book!
MY DAD IS A ROBOT
Matt Cosgrove
Psssssst! Wanna hear something cool? Don't tell everyone, But my Dad is a... ROBOT! Admittedly, this dad is an older model. He doesn't have laser eyes or jet powered feet and his batteries regularly run flat. But there is one little boy who wouldn't change a thing...
THERE'S ONLY ONE DAD LIKE YOU
Jess Racklyeft
There's only one dad like you, Dad. My hero, friend and guide. You teach me about this great big world and how to enjoy the ride.
Wise dads, caring dads, daring dads, creative dads - each dad brings their own sense of fun. Joyful, tender and heartfelt, There's Only One Dad Like You is a celebration of the merry magic of dads.
GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU
Sam McBratney | Anita Jeram
Little Nutbrown Hare shows his daddy how much he loves him... as wide as he can reach and as far as he can hop. Big Nutbrown Hare, who can reach farther and hop higher, loves him back just as much. They each use different measurements to express their love for one another until Little Nutbrown Hare declares "I love you to the moon" and Big Nutbrown Hare declares "I love you to the moon and back". Guess How Much I Love You is adored in our household and was one of the very first picture books we ever bought when bub was born.
MY DAD IS...
Ed Allen
Loudest farter? Best storyteller? Bad joke-maker? Spin the spinner and find out which one is about your dad! This novelty book comes with an interactive spinner on the front cover.
Buy Now: Book Depository
Do you have any special Fathers Day traditions in your family?
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What a fabulous list of books, and I love the idea of giving books for Fathers day. A gorgeous tradition. I can only think how amazing it will be to rehash these when you are grandparents x #openslather
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