‘In anticipation of this year’s Father’s Day, we wanted to share some of our favorite books that celebrate the precious bond between a father and a child. Be it Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry, Mo Willems’ Knuffle Bunny, or My Dad is the Best Playground by Luciana Navarro Powell, we are reminded of dads everywhere learning new ways to make a difference in their children’s lives, making the wrongs right, and, without a hesitation, exploring their capacity to play under the supervision of the little mentors. We at ECDA hope that you enjoy these books, and have a very special Father’s Day!

I Love Dad with The Very Hungry Caterpillar

By Eric Carle

Dads and kids alike will devour this board book by the renowned author, Eric Carle. In this book, our good friend, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and his furry and feathered friends celebrate their dads.

A Father’s Love

By Hannah Holt and Yee Von Chan

Around the globe and across the animal kingdom, fathers find many ways to show love and tenderness to their children. From a lion dad playing with his cub in a yellow field, to a penguin dad snuggling his baby on an icy shore, the book shows its readers that a father’s love comes in all shapes, sizes. Lovely illustrations and fun rhymes make the book engaging and special.

I Love You, Daddy

By Jilliam Harker

 Daddy Bear takes his Little Bear on an adventure, helping him all throughout their journey. While children get to enjoy the fun and playful story, they also get a well-articulated portrait of a father as the figure of mentorship and support. This book could be enjoyed by the youngest of readers.

My Dad Is the Best Playground 

By Luciana Navarro Powell 

Who knew that in addition to being amazing parents, attentive caretakers, great entertainers, dads can also be …very convenient playgrounds?! That’s right, as the title says, father’s have a lot more to offer than good advice. Dads everywhere, beware: after reading this book your little ones might have to check whether you make a sturdy climbing structure!

I Love Daddy Every Day Hardcover

By Isabel Otter and Alicia Más

A lovely book for dads and kiddos everywhere, I Love Daddy Every Day brings the spirit of Father’s Day to the everyday interactions between kids and their fathers.                                                                    
By Zach Bush and Gregorio De Lauretis                                                                                                    
From a child’s first uttered “Dada” to the first unsteady steps, nothing can adequately convey the joy and awe of watching the birth and growth of a new child. A well-illustrated board book is filled with tender moments that tie a father and his new child together, forever.                                                                                                                                 

By Matthew A. Cherry and Vashti Harrison

A heart warming story that was made into an Oscar-winning animation short in which a little girl named Zuri and her dad work together to style her gorgeous, natural, curly hair when Zuri’s mom is away. The book offers a personal and powerful narrative of the bond between dads and daughters.

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale

By Mo Willems

Trixie, Daddy, and Knuffle Bunny take a trip to the neighborhood laundromat. But the exciting adventure takes a dramatic turn when Trixie realizes that the bunny is nowhere to be found. Mo Willems, one of the most famous dads in children’s  literature gives us a fun and felt-through snapshot of fatherhood. As your little reader grows, you will find that other Knuffle Bunny titles will be equally fun and spot-on when it comes to stories of early attachments.