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One more week till Father’s Day, people!
Have you bought a gift for The Man in your life yet?
Have the kids brought home something weird or wonderful from the school Father’s Day stall?
(One year, my school stocked pet rocks at the Father’s Day stall. True story.)

A book is an inevitable gift for all special occasions in this book-loving family.

Last year, My Man celebrated his very first Father’s Day. Our Little Ladybird was only a few weeks old. She, in fact, was not meant to even be in the world for Father’s Day. However, she had other plans and decided to arrive almost 4 weeks early.

So the book she chose to give to her daddy was…

The Daddy Book by Todd Parr

Todd Parr makes up my literary trinity of favourite male picture book authors, together with Aaron Blabey and Peter Carnavas.
His books are ridiculously hilarious and super fun.This book uses simple text coupled with colourful illustrations to celebrate the different kinds of dads and the traits that make them unique.
My favourite page is the “Some daddies stop for doughnuts” spread. Because that’s my dad in a nutshell!

My Dad by Anthony Browne

“He’s as strong as a gorilla and as happy as a hippopotamus.”
Did I just admit to having three favourite male picture book authors? Can I push that out to four? Because Anthony Browne is a literary genius.
The abilities and skills of this dad are dotingly described by a small child, in this witty and joyous tribute to all dads.

My dad thinks he’s funny and My dad still thinks he’s funny by Katrina Germein and tom Jellett

“I say I feel like a milkshake and Dad says, ‘You don’t look like one.'”
As My Man read these books to Our Little Ladybird, I could see him mentally filing away all the hilarious dad jokes captured in these two entertaining books.
Definitely books that would be enjoyed by dads partial to the odd dad joke.

Dads: A Field Guide by Justin Ractliffe and Cathie Glassby

Touted as the “Universal Authority on Dad Identification,” this Field Guide gives you the tools you need to identify the different types of dads in their natural environment, based on their dress and interests. My personal favourites are “Rock ‘n’Roll dads” and “Vegie dads.”  Such an amusing read!

My dad’s a Wrestler! by Matt Zurbo and Dean Gorissen

“My dad’s a wrestler!
Not the famous kind, though…”
A small boy tells us about his father’s passion for wrestling. Whilst Dad isn’t a very talented wrestler, his son cheers him on and is his biggest fan.
A wacky, fun tale about a little boy’s pride in his dad.

I spy Dad! by Janeen Brian and Chantal Stewart

I spy with my little eye dads all starting with d.
But can I find the one who’s mine. I wonder where he’ll be.
What little person doesn’t love a game of I Spy? A gorgeous rhyming book about a little girl looking for her Dad.
It celebrates all types of fathers until she finally sees her dad, the one that loves her so. ‘He’s the one for me.’

As a teacher, I try to be very conscious of the language I use when discussing families. All family units are different.
Below are some books that explore different family set-ups, and celebrate the different Father Figures that may be present in the lives of little people.

Molly and her Dad by Jan Ormerod and Carol Thompson

Molly’s mum and dad don’t live together. Molly’s dad lives “a whole plane ride away.” Molly’s dad comes to look after her for a week, whilst her mum goes away.
This beautiful and sensitive story shows the unfolding of their relationship as they get to know each other better.

My Two Super Dads by Bronny Fallens

“My two super dads say I’m a gift and that they love me heaps, that’s why they always tell me I’m theirs…for keeps… “
This family has two dads, and we learn about what life is like at their house. Funnily, it’s no different to life at a house with a mum and a dad. Or a mum and a mum.

Max Meets a Monster by Tracey Hawkins

Max is having his first sleepover at Grandpa’s house. At bedtime, he goes hunting for a monster that is making a terrible ruckus.
He discovers that the noisy monster is actually his snoring grandpa!

 

I’ve an Uncle Ivan by Ben Sanders

I get lost in the illustrations in this book. A rollicking, rhyming text about Uncle Ivan and his chaotic family who are using varied modes of transport to get to an exciting place.
Where are they all heading? You need to read to the end to find out….

Good Night, Sleep Tight by Mem Fox and Judy Horacek

“A bloke babysitter!” My Man exclaimed when he read this book.
Skinny Doug is Bonnie and Ben’s favourite babysitter. As he puts them to bed, he entertains them with his impressive repertoire of nursery rhymes.
A great book for children who may have a male figure that they look up to, who isn’t a family member.

My Dad Used to Be so Cool by Keith Negley

A lament jokingly used often around here is “I used to be cool.”
This book has seriously cool, graphic illustrations about a seriously cool dad.
Except that the story is told from the perspective of his son, who thinks his dad is pretty normal.
It is a beautiful insight into father-son bonding. The genius lies in the way the parent reader and child reader can relate to the text.

You can find more suggestions here on my Father’s Day pinterest board.

I’m off now to decide upon what sweet treat shall be baked in honour of Father’s Day.
Book gifts + sweet treats.
Pretty much how any special occasion goes down at our house!

Any book/s you would add to the list?
What Father’s Day traditions happen at yours?

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