Top Ten Tuesday is an original weekly book-meme hosted by the team at The Broke and the Bookish.
In the picture book world, especially when it comes to picture books for the youngest readers, mothers reign supreme. Fathers are often relegated to second place and rarely take centre stage, a frustrating extension of outdated gender expectations. Mothers, according to these antiquated norms, are the centres of their children’s lives, while fathers flit in an out, bringing home the bacon and doling out discipline.
Thankfully there are still more than a few great picture books that give dads the love and respect they deserve! Here are ten wonderful stories that celebrate dads.
This bilingual picture book celebrates the close bond between a father and son, and shares some of the joyful experiences they share.
Miles is so excited – his dad is taking him to the barbershop for his first big-kid haircut! A celebration not only of father-son relationships, but also of African-American culture and pride.
There’s nothing quite like Visiting Day, the special day when a little girl and her family can visit her father in prison. Given the high rates of incarceration across the North America, this is a story that will likely resonate with many children.
Every Friday, rain or shine, a little boy and his father have breakfast at their favourite diner. With colourful, cheerful illustrations, this is a lovely ode to the simple pleasures that make life so wonderful.
When Zoe spots a little fawn in the forest, she sets out with her patient, loving father to find the deer’s mother. As they encounter different animals, the text shares their names in the Okanagan (Syilx) indigenous language.
Jabari is ready to jump off the diving board! He just needs to plan out what kind of dive he’s going to do…and do some stretches…can’t rush these things…! Could Jabari actually be scared? Thankfully Dad is there to give support, love, a bit of encouragement.
This new dad’s rock and roll days might be behind him, but to one little person in particular, he’s still the coolest person in the world.
What’s a little girl to do when it’s Mother’s Day, and she has two daddies? As Stella shows, a family with two daddies might be different, but there’s definitely no shortage of love!
Thunder Boy Jr. is named after his dad, but he longs for a name that’s all his own. Together, Thunder Boy Jr. and his dad search for a name that will light up his world.
An inquisitive, talkative little girl and her daddy go for a walk through the woods, exploring and experience the wonder of the natural world together.
I’ve heard such great things about Every Friday, and I NEED Ask Me. The cover alone reminds me of “adventure walks” my dad and I used to take when I was little
My TTT
So glad to see so many picture books where the father gets to shine. I’m be looking into these to gift to my niece for my brother to read to her!
These look like great picks. I especially like the look of Every Friday (routines like that with a dad or mom can be s comforting) and Jabari Jumps. Zoe and the fawn looks so cute too!
Thunder Boy Jr.! Thanks for sharing!
that’s right! Dads are often unappreciated! so I love this feature. I’d need a soul band-aid to read Visiting Day!
This is such a nice post! Dad are indeed often so underappreciated and deserve more love and presence in books!
What an amazing list of picture books! I wish I knew some kids in this age group to share it with – I think I’ll save it anyway, for when I might have an opportunity to share!
Thanks for sharing all these lovely books. I have shared this on my Facebook page.
Thank you, that’s very kind!