Father’s Day Gift Books

In Australia it is Father’s Day this Sunday. All celebrations in our house call for a new book, and for Father’s Day this year, it’s ‘What’s Dad Doing?’ which is new title from The National Library of Australia. There is a plethora of books out there for dads, but my absolute favourites are below. Each and every one of the books below would make a perfect Father’s Day gift!

All families are different:  some have a dad and some don’t; some have two dads; some have a dad that no longer lives with them; and some are grieving a dad. Whatever your family situation there is a book out there which reflects your family, and over the coming months I will be featuring books for all families! But today it’s all about dads!

To add these books to your home, school or library collection click on the titles or cover images.

‘Kisses for Daddy’ written by Frances Watts. Illustrated by David Legge. Published by Little Hare Books, an imprint of Hardie Grant Books.

Virtually every single night in our house you’ll hear The Wild Thing (two years old) reciting a line from this book in a sing songy voice, ‘NO! No kisses for daddy!’, and then giggling hysterically. I could recite the entire book for you I’ve read it that many times. I have adored the work of illustrator David Legge for many years now, probably starting with ‘Bamboozled’ which I poured over for months on end when mum purchased it for one of my siblings. The David Legge/Frances Watts pairing is a match made in book heaven. Another of their books, ‘Parsely Rabbit’s Book about Books’ is one of my all-time favourite books; you can read about it here. One day I am going to own a piece of his artwork – I mean seriously…look at this cover!

‘What’s Dad Doing?’ written by Susan Hall. Illustrated by Cheryl Westenberg. Published by National Library of Australia.

This is the book The Chief Book Reader is getting for Father’s Day this year. Did you know that ringtail possum dad help the possum mum take care of the baby? Pat the possum and Wesley Wombat trek around the house and garden finding out what’s Pat’s dad is doing – and it’s most often dishes, cooking and washing. Love it! ‘What’s Dad Doing?’ shows young readers, via lift-the-flaps, how possum families live, from their nocturnal habits to their favourite bush tucker. I love a book for young children which combines fact and fiction and the National Library of Australia are producing some great books in this style using images from the NLA collections – a fabulous way to showcase the collection to a huge audience!

‘I Love my Dad’ written and illustraed by Anna Walker. Published by Scholastic Australia.

What can I say? It’s Anna Walker; the woman can do no wrong. Most households will have an Ollie book or three or five and this one is just perfect for Father’s Day. You can also purchase it as an app here; it’s just a little bit gorgeous. I’m following the Snappyant apps with interest as all they have done so far are brilliant; their apps add to the experience of reading a children’s book, they don’t replace the book.  The add for the app is below. The ‘My Mum’s the Best’ app by Snappyant is The Wild Things favourite – you should see her twirling like that hippo mum – it’s quite a sight. Balance out the genders and download both – mum and dad!

‘My Dad Thinks he’s Funny’ and ‘My Dad Still Thinks he’s Funny’ written by Katrina Germein. Illustrated by Tom Jellett. Published by Walker Books.

Bestselling author Katrina Germein has two fabulous ‘dad’ books. ‘My Dad Thinks he’s Funny’ is possibly in every house already (it should be!), but the sequel, ‘My Dad Still Thinks he’s Funny’ is newly published and is as laugh out loud funny as the first. Both combine super funny dad jokes and one liners with brilliant illustrations by Tom Jellett. Highly recommended for adults and children – love a book that is written on two levels!

‘My Dad’ by Anthony Browne. Published by Macmillan.

What’s not to love about an Anthony Browne book? Okay some are kind of dark – but they are always brilliant and stay with you long after you’ve finished reading them. This one is funny and touching and an utterly lovely tribute to the relationship between a father and his son. Perfect for young boys to give to their much loved dad this Father’s Day.

‘My Dad’s the Coolest’ written by Rosie Smith. Illustrated by Bruce Whatley. Published by Scholastic.

Beautifully illustrated with delightful animals, My Dad’s the Coolest captures the fun-loving bond between father and child – from a feathery tickle and playing in the mud, to dancing with the coolest polar bear. Whether big or small, feathered or furry, dads always know how to make us laugh! This book is just delightful, as is the companion title ‘My Mum’s the Best’. Love them both to bits.