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This Father’s Day, why not give something to read with the dads (or dad-like figures) in their lives? This is a gift that will endure long after Sunday is over, since time and bonding would be included in the act. These are some fun new books that your dad(s) might enjoy. Check them out-
Papa Pizza Mouse by Michael Garland (Holiday House, for ages 0–3, available 05/31/2022)
Now a bite-sized board book, Papa Pizza Mouse offers new families their first chance to bond over a love of New York, pizza, and a NYC slice that is worth fighting for. When the whiskered hero of this story uncovers one of the greatest treats New York City has to offer a forager—a discarded slice of pepperoni pizza—the danger to bring it home to his family is all worth it! It’s up to the tiny Pizza Mouse to get the slice safely home to his family . . . via the A train, of course!
Ready! Said Rabbit by Marjoke Henrichs (Peachtree, for ages 2–6, available 05/24/2022)
An excellent read aloud pick for dads and their little loved ones to celebrate each other, charming flaws and all. It’s a lovely day to visit the park, but will Rabbit and Dad ever be ready to leave the house? Rabbit could take his ball to the park. But his favorite elephant would be just perfect, too, if he could find it. Uh-oh! Now Dad needs his jacket…and his glasses. And wherever did his keys go? A tale of patience to share between a dad and child; readers will laugh along with playful jibes at relatable, dawdling behaviors.
Uncle John’s City Garden by Bernette G. Ford, illustrated by Frank Morrison (Holiday House, for ages 4–8, available now)
How does this city garden grow? With help from L’il Sissy and her siblings—and love, love, love! A celebration of nature, family, and food. Bernette Ford’s autobiographical story is a loving glimpse at a girl, her siblings, and her uncle, and their shared passion for farming. L’il Sissy’s fascination with measurement, comparison, and estimation introduces children to STEM concepts. And the progress of Uncle John’s garden introduces readers to the life cycle of plants. And the progress of Uncle John’s garden introduces readers to the life cycle of plants.
Song for Jimi: The Story of Guitar Legend Jimi Hendrix by Charles R. Smith, Jr., illustrated by Edel Rodriguez (Neal Porter Books/Holiday House, ages 7 and up, available now)
Jimi Hendrix’s talent was epic, and so is this lyrical account of his life, with spectacular artwork by Edel Rodriguez— including a poster underneath the jacket. From his turbulent childhood through his epical appearance at the Monterey and Woodstock festivals, Charles R. Smith Jr. covers it all in this rich and rhythmic account of a singular life, accompanied by the psychedelic splendor of Edel Rodriguez’s acid-tinged illustrations. This unique mix of rhythm and rhyme captures the essence a rock icon.
When Grandfather Flew by Patricia MacLachlan, illustrated by Chris Sheban (Neal Porter Books/Holiday House, for ages 4–8, available now)
A grieving boy remembers his grandfather and the hobby they shared, in this moving evocation of love and loss by a Newbery Medalist. Milo’s grandfather is fascinated with birds. He admires their freedom and never loses an opportunity to point out the things that make them special. He can’t see like he used to, so Milo helps him. One day when Milo comes home, Grandpa isn’t there, but when he sees a Bald Eagle swoop through the sky above, he knows Grandpa got his wish of being reborn in the skies.
Tuesday Is Daddy’s Day by Elliot Kreloff (Holiday House, for ages 3–7, available now)
A sweet autobiographical story celebrating LGBTQ+ parents, coparents who live apart, and the shared love that keeps families together no matter where they live. Becky has two rooms: one at Mommy’s house and one at Daddy’s apartment, which he shares with his partner Harry. Daddy usually picks her up after school on Tuesdays, but one Tuesday mommy is there instead! What’s going on? Becky likes everything to be the same, but soon learns change can lead to a happy surprise!
Adventures with My Daddies by Gareth Peter, illustrated Garry Parsons (Peachtree Publishing, for ages 4–8, available now)
This authentic bedtime read aloud is perfect for LGBTQ+ and adoptive families. Set off on a series of incredible adventures with an endearing, diverse family as the bedtime stories they read burst into colorful life. Together, the daddies and their little one battle dragons, dodge deadly dinosaurs, zoom to the moon, and explore the world in a hot air balloon, before winding down to sleep in a wonderfully cozy ending.
I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott, illustrated by Sydney Smith (Neal Porter Books/Holiday House, for ages 4–8, available now)
What if words got stuck whenever you tried to speak? What if they never came out the way you wanted them to? When a boy who stutters feels isolated, alone, and incapable of communicating in the way he’d like, it takes a kindly father and a walk by the river to help him find his voice. Poet Jordan Scott writes movingly in this powerful and ultimately uplifting book, based on his own experience.
Going Down Home with Daddy by Kelly Starling Lyons, illustrated by Daniel Minter (Peachtree, for ages 4-8, available now)
Down home is Granny’s house. Down home is where Lil Alan and his parents and sister will gather with great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Down home is where Lil Alan will hear stories of the ancestors and visit the land that has meant so much to all of them. And down home is where all of the children will find their special way to pay tribute to their family history. All the kids have to decide what they’ll share, but what will Lil Alan do?
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