Father’s Day can be celebrated in many different ways – with a day full of activities or as quiet day filled with longing and memories.  For all those celebrating Father’s Day, together or apart, here’s a list of picture books to cherish.

Daddy speaks love by Leah Henderson; illustrated by E.B. Lewis -- A tribute to the joy and grounding that fathers bring to their children's lives. What does a daddy do? From day one, this daddy speaks love to his little one. And along with that love, his words and actions speak many other things, too: like truth, joy, comfort, and pride. Like many dads, he answers a million questions and tries to make sure that days are full of fun adventures, giggles, and hugs. Dads are good at scaring away imaginary monsters, and honest about how to confront the real ones too. They set an example for the future, speaking out for equality and justice, while sharing lessons from the past. But most of all, daddies encourage their young ones to fight for a better world, with the comfort of knowing their dads are right beside them.

Ebook available from Overdrive

Dancing with daddy by Anitra Rowe Schulte; illustrated by Ziyue Chen – Elsie can’t wait to go to her first father-daughter dance. She picked out the perfect dress and has been practicing swirling and swaying in her wheelchair. Elsie’s heart pirouettes as she prepares for her special night. With gestures, smiles, and words from a book filled with pictures, she shares her excitement with her family. But when a winter storm comes, she wonders if she’ll get the chance to spin and dance her way to a dream come true.

Hair twins by Raakhee Mirchandani; illustrated by Holly Hatam – Every morning Papa combs through his daughter's waves like he does his own—parting it down the middle, using coconut oil to get all the tangles out. Some days he braids her hair in two twists down the side of her face. Other days he weaves it into one long braid hanging down her back, just like a unicorn tail. But her favorite style is when he combs her hair in a tight bun on the top of her head, just like the joora he wears every day under his turban. They call this their hair twin look!

Brick by brick by Heidi Sheffield – Papi is a bricklayer, and he works hard every day to help build the city, brick by brick. His son, Luis, works hard too--in school, book by book. Papi climbs scaffolds, makes mortar, and shovels sand. Luis climbs on the playground and molds clay into tiny bricks to make buildings, just like Papi. Together, they dream big about their future as they work to make those dreams come true. And then one Saturday, Papi surprises Luis with something special he's built for their family, brick by brick.

Ebook available from Overdrive

Together we ride by Valerie Bolling; illustrated by Kaylani Juanita – Learning to ride is no easy feat! But with a little courage, a guiding hand from her dad, and an enthusiastic bark from her pup, one brave girl quickly learns the freedom that comes from an afternoon spent outside on a bike. Experience the fear, the anticipation, and the delight of achieving the ultimate milestone in this energetic, warm story that celebrates the precious bond between parent and child.

Ebook available from Overdrive

Juna and Appa by Jane Bahk; illustrated by Felicia Hoshino – Juna enjoys helping her father in their dry-cleaning shop on Saturdays. It's their special time together. One day Juna sees a customer yelling at Appa about a lost jacket. Juna has never seen her father look so worried and becomes determined to help. She sets off on a magical journey in search of the jacket, and along the way meets remarkable animals that show her the different ways that fathers care for their young.

Adventures with my daddies by Gareth Peter; illustrated by Garry Parsons -- A child describes all of the adventures she has with her two daddies. Together, this LGBTQ+ family battles dragons, dodges deadly dinosaurs, zooms to the moon, and explores the world in a hot air balloon, before winding down to sleep in a wonderfully cozy ending.

Ebook available from Edelweiss

Dad bakes by Katie Yamasaki – Dad rises before the sun, goes to work at the bakery where he kneads, rolls, and bakes bread, and as the world starts its day, Dad heads home to his young daughter. Together they play, read, garden, and--most importantly--they bake. This lovely, resonant picture book was inspired by muralist Katie Yamasaki's work with formerly incarcerated people.

Ebook available from Overdrive

Daddy, me and the magic hour by Laura Krauss Melmed; illustrated by Sarita Rich – As twilight deepens, so does the bond between a little boy and his daddy.
After getting home for the day and having dinner, a young boy is ready for some special time outside with his father. It's the Magic Hour, when the sun is going down and day meets night. As Daddy and son walk to the playground for some lively fun, they see their neighbors going through their evening rituals—watering plants, walking dogs, going for a run. As darkness sets in, Daddy and son quiet down and find fireflies, then make their way home to Mommy and bedtime.

Knock Knock: my dad’s dream for me by Daniel Beaty; illustrated by Bryan Collier – A boy wakes up one morning to find his father gone. At first, he feels lost. But his father has left him a letter filled with advice to guide him through the times he cannot be there.

Ebook available from Overdrive

Boats for papa by Jessixa Bagley -- Buckley and his mother cope with the loss of their father/husband by sending small wooden boats, built by Buckley, off into the ocean.

Ebook available from Overdrive

Be sure to check our catalog and Overdrive Kids eReading Room for these titles and many more being added.