10 June 202119 December 2022 Kirsten

27 Diverse Children’s Books for Father’s Day

27 Diverse Children’s Books for Father’s Day

These diverse books for Father’s Day see dads celebrate their unconditional love for their children. They are a great way for your students to see different types of families from different cultures.

Books for Father’s Day

Explore a wonderful collection of diverse picture books about dads, papas, daddies, babas, otosans, etc. You will find dads from different cultures, who get frustrated, learn how to braid hair, shield their children from harm and communicate their love in different ways.

Picture Books for Father's Day about Diverse Dads

The collection below are perfect books for Father’s Day, but these children’s books about dads should be read all year round. They are a great way to show your students different types of families from different cultures.

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson

In Central Park Zoo two male penguins, Roy and Silo, long for a family like the other penguins, so Mr Gramzay places an egg in the nest for them to care for. When the egg hatches the zookeeper named it Tango, “because it takes two to make a Tango.” Promotes family, belonging, diversity and tolerance.

Ask Me by Bernard Waber

An inquisitive girl and her father walk through their local neighbourhood. She is full of questions for her father as they explore their world. A poetic picture book to explore asking questions and curiosity.

Dad By My Side by Soosh

Take a look at all the fun things you can do with your dad; playing make-believe, banishing under the bed monsters and always there when you need him.

Daddy Long Legs by Nadine Brun-Cosme

A worried child questions his father about being picked up from school. His father gives ever creative answers to the child’s continuing questions until he gives one that satisfies. Promotes independence, thinkers and social and emotional learning.

The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish by Neil Gaiman

A boy learns about the consequences when he swaps his dad for two goldfish. When he goes to get his dad back the boy finds he has been swapped multiple times from one child to another. The boy goes on a mission to find his dad, but where will it end?

Days with Dad by Nari Hong

A daughter narrates how her father regrets all the thing he can’t do with her because he uses a wheelchair. She responds by telling him she loves all the things they can together like drinking hot chocolate, watching the rain and building sandcastles.

A Different Pond by Bao Phi

A tender glimpse of the relationship between a father and son and two unique cultures. Based on the author’s own childhood in Minneapolis, the reader learns about the difficulties of building a new life in an unfamiliar country.

Every Friday by Dan Yaccarino

Every Friday a boy and his father enjoy a weekly ritual. They start the day at their favourite diner for breakfast, then walk through the neighbourhood before ending the day with pancakes.

Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry

Zuri loves her curly hair even though it has a mind of its own. Her daddy has a lot to learn when he styles it for a special occasion, but he will do anything to make Zuri and her hair happy. You can use Hair Love in the classroom to promote self-esteem, positive relationships and identity.

Hike by Pete Oswald

In this wordless book, a father and child get ready for a day in the mountains. They spend the day hiking, planting a tree, throwing snowballs and taking photographs. They return home to a glass of milk, cookies and have a look through a photo album of different generations of the family enjoying nature.

Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein

A chicken begs her father to read a fairy tale book at bedtime. As he reads a new story, the excited chicken keeps interrupting. The tired father suggests she writes her own story. As she reads her story “Bedtime for Papa” she is interrupted by his snoring.

Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall

Jabari is determined to jump off the diving board but his confidence wanes as he nears the ladder. His patient father reassures Jabari that it is okay to be scared. With new determination, he climbs the ladder and jumps.

Made for Me by Zack Bush

Read about the bond between a father and his new child. We learn about the father’s joy and awe of watching his child grow up before his eyes.

Mango Moon by Diane de Anda

A daughter recalls what it is like when her father is deported. The family has to move home and she feels an emptiness without her father, but she learns that her love for him is everlasting.

My Dad Is Big And Strong, BUT...: A Bedtime Story by Coralie Saudo

A young boy narrates how difficult it is to get his dad to bed. Dad comes up with all sorts of excuses. He wants to sleep with his son, listen to a story and have the hall light on.

My Father's Arms Are A Boat by Stein Erik Lunde

A grieving boy looks to his father for comfort. His father answers questions about when will his mother wake up. As they walking into a snowy night the father reassures his worried son as he holds him close. Reinforces the themes of bereavement, self-management, fears and resilience.

My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero

Daisy Ramona loves zooming around the neighbourhood with her Papi on his motorcycle. She witnesses her rapidly changing community but knows her Papi’s love will always be there.

My Shadow is Pink by Scott Stuart

A boy who has a pink shadow is born into a family of men with blue shadows. He wants to be like his big, strong father, but he loves things that are ‘not for boys’. His loving father supports his son with self-acceptance and helps him embrace his gender identity.

Nasreddine by Odile Weulersse

Nasreddine and his father are criticised by local people because of how they travel to the market. When they change their ways, the locals still disapprove. They understand people will always judge, but they will always have the love and support of each other.

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen

Descriptive language inspires the reader’s imagination when a little girl and her father go owling on a winter night. Promotes love, companionship and patience.

Papa, Do You Love Me? by Barbara M. Joosse

A Masai father calls his son Tender Heart. The boy questions his Papa about how much he loves him and is reassured he will always love him unconditionally.

Red Kite, Blue Kite by Ji-li Jiang

During China’s Cultural Revolution, Tai Shan is separated from his father after he is arrested. They find a creative way of greeting each other by flying kites every day until his father is freed. Promotes relationship skills, hope, resilience and fears.

Stella Brings the Family by Miriam B. Schiffer

Stella has two dads but doesn't know what to do when her class celebrates Mother's Day. She feels loved by her Papa and Daddy and extended family, but she has no mother to take to the party. She is able to find a unique solution to her problem. Promotes acceptance, LGBTQ+ families and love.

A Tale of Two Daddies by Vanita Oelschlager

Two children discuss that one of them has two daddies. She describes how poppa helps her cook eggs and toast, and her daddy is her soccer coach. Her answers show how her daddies are always there for her and provide love and support.

The Storm Whale by Benji Davies

Lonely Noi finds a baby whale washed up on the beach and brings it home for company. Noi’s father finds the whale in the tub and realises how isolated his son is. They return the whale to the sea and Noi’s father gives his son more attention. Promotes compassion, responsible decision-making and family.

Thunder Boy Jr. by Sherman Alexie

Thunder Boy Smith Jr. is named after his father Thunder Boy Smith, but he wants his own identity. He wants a Native American name that will celebrate what he has done, not his father. After talking with his father he gets the perfect name, for him!

Yo Soy Muslim: A Father's Letter to His Daughter by Mark Gonzales

A father writes a poetic letter to his daughter encouraging her to embrace her identity. He shares the significance of their Muslim faith and lets her know it’s okay if some people don’t understand her.

What Next?

Show some appreciation for dads with these wonderfully diverse books for Father’s Day… and all year round!

What do you think of the suggestions? If you have any recommendations, add them to the comments below.

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