Father’s Day is coming up on June 21, 2026.
Finding the perfect Father’s Day gift is easier said than done, especially for a father who has too many ties and mugs. However, sometimes the best gift you can give doesn’t need to be wrapped up in a pretty box. Personally, I think that the best gift of all is spending time together. I lost my father last year and I would give anything to spend time with him this Father’s Day.
Children can spend time with dad doing fun things like going to the zoo or spending the day at the park. Another great option which doesn’t cost money is snuggling up together to tell stories and read some good books. I especially love this idea because I’m all for anything that promotes literacy and encourages children to read.
Books can be silly or heartwarming stories, and everything in between. You don’t even have to read books specifically about Father’s Day. If you are interested in Father’s Day books, here are some great examples worth considering.
Some of these books I received from Sourcebooks to review.
My Daddy is Everything
Written by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Ashleigh Corrin ($8.99; Board Book; Ages 0 to 3)
This is a sweet board book for children that shows all the wonderful things that dad’s do for children such as answering all those “how” and “why” questions curious little minds have, playing hide-and-go-seek, and putting their children to bed.
This book focus on the many special things dads do for children throughout even the most ordinary of days.
The images are sweet and colorful. Even if a child is too young to read they’ll still understand the story based on the illustrations.
How to Make a Pirate Laugh
Written by Chris Cate ($11.99; Hardcover; Ages 4 to 8)
Let’s face it, dad jokes are infamous. My husband still cracks dad jokes from time to time, even though our “children” are in their mid-to-late 20’s. Of course the jokes he tells are really corny, but that’s what we expect from a dad joke.
This book features several funny and silly jokes all with a pirate theme. Here a couple of examples.
What did the ocean say to the pirate? Nothing. It just waved.
Why couldn’t the pirate play cards? Their captain was standing on the deck.
There are plenty of jokes sure to make both a child and dad laugh out loud.
The book also features many colorful images of pirates and pirate themed things.
Every dad needs a good joke book, and this one fits the bill.
How to Catch a Daddysaurus
Written by Alice Walstead, illustrated by Andy Elkerton ($10.99; Hardcover; Ages 4 to 10)
This book is part of the “How to Catch” series. I have read several books in the series and they are all delightful. They also have a book on How to Catch a Mamasaurus, which is great for Mother’s Day.
In this book the children talk about the “Daddysaurus” who is kind, does everything for the family, helps with homework, helps kids appreciate things like nature and ensures that children eat healthy and get exercise. Of course these are all the things a dad would do.
Perhaps the children don’t need to come up with any fancy trap to capture the Daddysaurus. Perhaps all they need to do is say “Daddysaurus, I love you!”
This book is filled with colorful images that show all the wonderful things that dads do for their families, as well as bits and pieces of the elusive Daddysaurus.
These books are always a hit with the children where I work. I cannot wait to share this delightful story book with them too.
Don’t Splash Grandpa
Written Julie Gonzalez, illustrated by Srinidhi Srinivasan ($14.99; Hardcover; Ages 4 to 8)
Grandpa might not be a child’s father, but they are a father to someone (mom or dad). For some children a grandfather is a father figure in their life. I was raised by my grandparents for a good chunk of my life and I always considered my grandfather to be “dad” and my biological father my “father.”
This book is about a group of kids having a lot of fun at what I can only assume to be a community pool. The kids splash around, jump through hoops, pretend their is a shark in the pool and a variety of other things, but they are extra careful not to let water splash on grandpa whose sitting on a beach chair next to the pool just hanging out.
What will happen if grandpa gets splashed? You’ll have to read the book to find out.
The books features charming and colorful illustrations of children have a fun time in the pool. It brought me back to when I was a child playing in the pool along with my cousins. The last thing you think about is not splashing people. After all, splashing around the pool is all part of the fun.
The following books I did not receive to review but are worth considering.
Bebé Ama a Papá / Baby Loves Dad
Written by Chela de la Vega, illustrated by Teresa Martínez ($9.99; Board Book; Ages 0 to 4)
Bebé Ama a Papá / Baby Loves Dad is a sweet and charming exploration of family love, creating a rich and engaging experience for babies and toddlers. Through charming illustrations and simple, expressive text, the book celebrates the special bond between babies and their fathers and features a diverse group of dads from various backgrounds throughout Latin America and the United States. From storytime to crafting toys to mealtime, Bebé Ama a Papá / Baby Loves Dad captures the joy that papá /dads have when spending time with their children, making it a perfect read for families looking to embrace both English and Spanish in their little one’s early learning journey.
My First Dad and Daughter Journal
Written by Katie Clemons ($14.99; Paperback; Ages 5 to 8)
As your little girl grows up and learns to read and write, the two of you can catch special memories in this journal as you swap stories, compare ideas, and explore things you love with each other! Letters, drawings back and forth, and interactive lists invite dad and daughter to reflect, write, and doodle about all of the things in their life together. Watch your daughter build self-confidence and improve her penmanship!
With this unique journal for young kids just learning to write, dad and daughter will illustrate or write:
- Answers to thought provoking journal prompts and activities: Things that make me happy; Circle your favorite foods; Invent a new word!
- Special memories: Our home; I dream about; What we like to do together
- Personal perspectives: I love these family traditions; Things I like to do in the summer
Whether you’re looking for the perfect creative gift for dad or daughter, intentional activity kits for kids, a meaningful and fun homeschooling tool, or a unique memory book for dad and daughter, this shared guided journal is sure to be a hit. Let’s celebrate your story!
These books are available from Sourcebooks and are available at book retailers across the country including Amazon and Barnes and Noble to name a few.
Check out Sourcebooks on social media to keep up to get on new book releases.
At the end of the day the best Father’s Day gift dad can receive are the ones that make lasting memories. Snuggling up with their child and reading a good book together is a precious memory that will last a lifetime, especially when the child is grown up and moved out on their own. As a parent I cherished those times with my children. What I wouldn’t do to go back to reading some great books together.
Kimberly
*I received free samples in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
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