Every father’s day I make sure our gift to dad includes one or two Father’s Day Books. Books that celebrate him or the relationship between children and their dads.

I’ve found 11 Father’s Day Books to choose between and I’m sharing them with you with plenty of time before Father’s Day should you think one would be perfect for the dad in your family’s life. There are a few different style books and different age category books.

And we can’t just limit it to Dads, there are also Grandfathers to be celebrated so I’ve added two books in for them too.

11 Father’s Day Books

One thing about books is that it’s not only special to read them together but you can also use them to celebrate milestones or special days. That way every time you pick up that book you’re reminded of that special day or moment.

Books for Dad

1. My dad used to be so cool.

I’m sure us parents used to be cool!? I wonder if our kids know that we were once cool. Is “cool” even a “cool” word anymore!?

This funny story shows children how their parents are still cool after all, even if it’s not in quite the same way! It’s relatable and engaging with not a lot of reading, allowing the pictures to do a lot of the talking.

Keith Negley is an award-winning editorial illustrator and is a frequent contributor to The New York Times and New Yorker.

This book is suitable for 4 years +.

2. My dad the Hero

This is a beautiful story about a boy’s love for his father and his acceptance of his limitations.

T is part of a happy family, and he loves everything about them – especially his clever dad, who drives a taxi and can make anything you like out of wood.

When T’s teacher arranges for his dad to come into school to talk about what he does for a job, T should be as proud as proud. But there’s one problem: his dad doesn’t speak English. T worries and worries about what to do – does his teacher realize? Will everyone laugh at him because his dad can only speak Bengali?

This lovely story results in T finding our that his dad really is a hero!

This book is most suitable to kids aged 5 and older.

3. Father’s Day (Aptly Named Isn’t It!?)

Katy and her little brother Olly tell us about their day with Dad.

From the fun of waking Dad up in the morning, having a day together at the seaside or even stories with Dad at bedtime, this joyous tale gives readers a snapshot into a child’s day and celebrates the special bond between a father and child.

There is a gift edition available in hardback.

This book is suitable for kids three years and older.

4. My Dad Thinks He’s Funny

This is one of the Father’s Day Books we may get for our dad!!

My dad doesn’t like babysitting… He says no one should sit on babies.

My dad doesn’t eat seafood… He says there’s something fishy about it.

My dad doesn’t lie in bed…

He says you should always tell the truth. My dad thinks he’s funny.

This is a great book for kids 5 years old and older whose dad has made them laugh – or cringe!

5. The Dictionary of Dads

This book is very different to the others, instead of a standard storybook, this is a collection of poems. A collection of over fifty poems about different dads, with witty illustrations too.

There is Big Bad Dad, Exploding Dad, Faraway Dad and Caveman Dad. Enjoy a laugh at Daddy Disaster and Donkey Dad and then feel sorry for Faraway Dad.

In addition to this being for dads and about dads the book also addresses themes of of bullying, gender roles, separation and family values.

This book is supposedly suitable for kids 7 years and older but I’m going to try it with my two, one of which is 4.

6. My Father is a Polar Bear

One of the more serious Father’s Day Books, My Father is a Polar Bear is a story of two boys looking for their dad.

Drawing on Michael Morpurgo’s own childhood experience of first seeing his real father on television, My Father Is a Polar Bear tells the story of two young brothers rediscovering their birth father in the most unlikely of places and in an entirely unexpected guise!

Despite the potential for sadness, this story is a warm and delightful tale of family bonds and love told by a master storyteller.

This book is most suitable for kids 7 years and older.

7. Interrupting Chicken

Any of your children interrupt you constantly? Any of your children unable to contain their thoughts and comments when you are reading them a story? I have two of those. This book is perfect for us!!

It’s time for the little red chicken’s bedtime story and Papa has to remind her to try not to interrupt. But the chicken can’t help herself!

Not only does Little Chicken interrupt but she gets involved in the story itself!!

Little Chicken tries to save Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood and even Chicken Little.

Now it’s the little red chicken’s turn to tell a story. This brings a humorous story-within-a-story view.

This book is beautifully illustrated with glowing colours and suitable for kids as little as 2 years old.

8. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt

How can we not include this book on the list. The iconic adventure that the dad takes his family on, through the different landscapes.

Best of all, there is now an anniversary board book which makes the story more accessible to little ones. If you’ve never read this book, now is the time. Kids just love this book.

In this book you follow and join in the family’s excitement as they wade through the grass, splash through the river, squelch through the mud and brave their way through the swirling, whirling snowstorm in search of a bear.

We’re going on a bear hunt. We’re going to catch a big one. Will you come too?

I think any age youngster will love this book.

And to celebrate the Grandads…

We can’t leave Grandads out of the mix!!

9. Searching for Cicadas

This is a lovely story about a child and their grandfather searching for cicadas. With Spring and eventually Summer approaching this may be something that your children become more interested in. It could be something special that they do together with their grandparents.

In the summertime, Grandpa and I go cicada-watching. We put our camping gear into my wagon and walk down to the local reserve. Last year we saw five Green Grocers, three Yellow Mondays and one Floury Baker. Can we find the rare Black Prince this year?

Searching for Cicadas is part of the award-winning narrative nonfiction Nature Storybooks series. This heartwarming nonfiction picture book is written by award-winning author Lesley Gibbes and gorgeously illustrated by Judy Watson.

This book is for kids aged 5 years and older.

10. My Grandpa is Amazing

An exuberant celebration of a wonderful grandpa – and all grandpas everywhere!

The grandpa in this book is truly brilliant. He’s got an amazing bike, he’s a terrific dancer and he knows all about first aid. He builds fantastic sandcastles, he makes wonderful flower arrangements. Best of all this grandad is very, very patient.

Is there anything this astounding grandpa can’t do!?

The suggested age for this book is 6 years old but I think it would be good for younger kids too.

11. The Run Aways

While this is a chapter book so suited to older young kids just make sure this is age appropriate, you don’t want it giving any of your little boys big ideas…

In the Run Aways, Grandson and grandpa run away together for a one-night adventure.

“I hate the food here,” Grandpa said. “ They’ve taken all the joy out of it. Not even the water tastes any good.” “Perhaps you should run away,” I suggested. “I did a lot of that when I was young,” he said. “But I think it’s a bit late now…” But by the time I had to leave for the bus, we’d made a plan.

This Father’s Day book is another one from Swedish great Ulf Stark.