20 of the BEST books for kids to give to their Dad for Father’s Day
- By Auckland for Kids
- Updated:
Father’s Day in New Zealand this year is on Sunday 3 September 2023. Struggling for ideas of what the kids can get Dad for Father’s Day? Consider choosing one of our favourite 20 books that celebrate Dads. Plus your child and their father can enjoy reading the book on Father’s Day together too!
Happy Father's Day
by David Creighton-Pester
A bright and humorous picture book which celebrates fathers everywhere. With sweet and funny text, written by real kids about their dads.
Find a copy here
Superdad's Day Off
by Phil Earle
A story celebrating father-son bonds and family, for young (and old) superhero fans!
Find a copy here
My Dad is Fanstastic
by Roald Dahl
The perfect Father’s Day gift, inspired by the wondercrump world of 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.
Find a copy here.
Daddy Long Legs
by Nadine Brun-Cosme
Meet a determined Dad with a big imagination in Daddy Long Legs. With its warm, reassuring feel and the adorably drawn relationship between a father and his child, this moving story makes the perfect book for Father’s Day and beyond.
Daddy Long Legs is a joyous book with bright, fresh and funny artwork from uniquely talented French illustrator Aurelie Guillerey, full of retro charm.
Find a copy here
The Night Before Father's Day
by Natasha Wing
It’s the night before Father’s Day, and Mum and the kids have a plan to surprise Dad with a special gift. When Dad goes for a bike ride, everyone gets to work. Dad wakes up the next day to find his garage newly organized and his car sparkly clean. So, of course, he celebrates by taking everyone for a spin!
Ages: 3 to 5 years.
Buy it here.
I Love My Daddy
by Sebastien Braun
“I love my Daddy.” A phrase that fills the heart of every proud Dad. Sebastien Braun’s celebration of fatherhood is conveyed in rich pictures and touching words.
Ages: 0 to 5 years.
Find a copy here.
My Old Man, He Played Rugby
by Peter Millett a New Zealand author
My old man, he played one, he played front row in the scrum, with a heave ho, here we go, playing in the zone, my old man came charging home!
You’ll laugh out loud at the outrageous antics of dads of all shapes and sizes in this ball game to beat them all! GO DAD, GO!
Buy it here.
Our Dad
by David Ling a New Zealand author
Mum goes out to work and Dad works from home. He’s there in the day to do things but he’s pretty clumsy and forgetful and his cooking is dreadful. Sometimes the kids laugh, saying that he must be the most hopeless Dad in the world. But of course they know he isn’t really. He can be good fun and when they have problems, are sick, worried or need support in any way, he’s the best Dad in the world.
Buy it here.
A Father's Love
by Hannah Holt
This heart warming board book celebrates the love that fathers and children share in the animal kingdom, while also teaching young readers about colours. Perfect for a Father’s Day gift and for kids who love their dads on any old day. Throughout the animal kingdom, in every part of the world, fathers love and care for their babies. This beautiful book takes readers around the globe and across the animal kingdom, showcasing the many ways fathers love and care for their babies.
Buy it here.
You and Me, Me and You
by Miguel Tanco
The wonder of being a Dad is on display in this touching tribute to fathers. . In You and Me, Me and You, that special bond is honoured through poignant, tenderly rendered illustrated vignettes: a father and son walk together, discuss life amid a city’s bustle, play and, perhaps most profoundly, grow, side by side. Bright pops of Pantone yellow infuse each spread with joy and a cloth spine adds an irresistible specialness.
Buy it here.
My Dad is Amazing
by Sabrina Moyle
The board book My Dad Is Amazing, features a mythical yeti, and is a joyful tribute to just how amazing parents (and their kids!) are.
Buy it here.
My Dad Used to Be So Cool
by Keith Negley
Keith Negley’s playful and emotional art tells this story of a new father who is no longer the cool guy he once was. He looks back wistfully on his crazy times playing in a band, riding a motorcycle, and getting tattoos. Those days may be behind him, but his young son still thinks he’s the coolest guy in the world.
Buy it here.
My Dad Loves Me!
by Marianne Richmond
My Dad plays with me. My Dad naps with me. My Dad protects me. My Dad Loves Me! board book illustrates all the ways a Dad shows his love to his children.
Ages: 0 to 5
Buy it here.
Dad and the Dinosaur
by Gennifer Choldenko
A heartwarming father-son story about bravery and facing fears. Nicholas wants to be as brave as his dad, but he needs help. Luckily, his dad knows that even the bravest people can get scared, and it’s okay to ask for help facing your fears.
Buy it here.
Daddy, Papa and Me
by Leslea Newman
One of the only original board books about gay parents! A perfect purchase for new parents, baby showers, and more! Rhythmic text and illustrations with universal appeal show a toddler spending the day with its daddies. From hide-and-seek to dress-up, then bath time and a kiss goodnight, there’s no limit to what a loving family can do together. Share the loving bond between same-sex parents and their children.
Ages 0 to 5 years.
Buy a copy here.
Your Baby's First Word will be Dada
by Jimmy Falloon
Tonight Show’s Jimmy Fallon’s picture book is a punch and simple story that makes for fun read out loud story. Everyone knows that fathers wage a secret campaign to ensure that their babies’ first word is “Dada!” But how does it work?
Buy it here.
Dinosaur Dads
by Lesley Gibbes and Marjorie Crosby-Fairall
The dinosaur kids fight and grumble until, an earthshaking STOMP echoes over the hill. Get ready, get set, for daddies galore. Here they come! Here they come! Here they come… ROAR!
Buy a copy here.
My Dad
by Susan Quinn and illustrated by Marina Ruiz
My Dad is a beautifully illustrated, stereotype-busting celebration of all the everyday things a Dad does to make his child so wonderfully, daddish-ly awesome!
With lyrical rhyming text and gentle illustrations, this is a joyous celebration of fatherhood which creates a special reading experience between a child and their father. Inspire a child to explore what makes the relationships in their own life special with this touching book.
Buy a copy here.
You Made Me a Dad
by Laurenne Sala
In this touching celebration of fatherhood, the close bond between father and child comes to life with heartwarming resonance. The story creates a warm look at the joys, fears, and responsibilities of being a Dad over the years.
Buy a copy here.
Because I'm Your Dad by Ahmet Zappa
by Laurenne Sala
Because I’m your Dad, you can have spaghetti for breakfast, french toast for dinner, and rocky road ice cream in the bathtub. This children’s book is both playful and loving, a father expresses his hopes and dreams for a one-of-a-kind relationship with his child. Whimsical monster characters bring the silly and sweet scenes to life and keep the book universal. The book’s ending, a moving tribute to the author’s father, guarantees inter-generational appeal. Because I’m your dad, I will do all of these things for you and more . . . because that’s what my dad did for me.
Buy a copy here.
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