By Kaylie Seed
While we understand that not everyone has a Father (either figuratively or literally), we can take Father’s Day to recognize the people in our lives who have helped raise us, celebrate us, nurture us, and love us unconditionally. Father’s Day is meant to celebrate people in our lives who do all of these things for us and one way to be reminded of those actions is through wholesome and heartwarming children’s books.
My Daddy Rules the World: Poems about Dads by Hope Anita Smith
Hope Anita Smith has put together a collection of poems that are told through the voice of a child and shines light on those small moments in our lives that we get to spend with our Dad. Combining beautiful illustrations with loving poems, Smith has put together a lovely children’s book that dads can read with their children.
Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems
This adorable children’s story tells a tale about Trixie and her Daddy spending the day together that includes Trixie’s beloved Knuffle Bunny. Trixie isn’t quite old enough to be talking and when things don’t go as planned how will Trixie tell her Daddy that something isn’t quite right? This special story reminds us that the dads in our lives have superpowers.
Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry, illustrated by Vashti Harrison
This absolutely lovely tale tells the story of Zuri and her Father as he steps in to try and help Zuri style her hair for a special occasion. Throughout this story Zuri learns to love her natural hair. Hair Love reminds us to love ourselves (especially our hair) just as we are and is meant to empower young Black girls. Hair Love also shows the special bond between daughters and their fathers!
Two Dads: A book about Adoption by Carolyn Robertson, illustrated by Sophie Humphreys
Two Dads is told from the perspective of their adopted child and focuses on the normalcy of LGBTQIA+ families. Two Dads is a precious read and it is written in a way that is easy for children to understand. Robertson has created a wonderful story that opens up conversations about same-sex parenting as well as adoption.
Darth Vader and Son by Jeffrey Brown
Jeffrey Brown takes the Star Wars story that we all know and love and reimagines it to show off the father/son relationship through a single parent’s eye. Brown highlights the bond of the father and son relationship while mixing in adorable imagery that can only be found in a galaxy far, far away. Darth Vader and Son is an excellent read for all parents!