New Picture Books to Celebrate Dads
Brought to you by NYPL’s Vibrant Voices Reading Committee. Committed to highlighting and promoting diverse writers and their works.
The month of June brings many things to celebrate, one of them being Father’s Day! Check out these new 2022 gems from diverse writers for young children that celebrate Dads, Granddads, and Girl Dads all selected by expert librarians. We hope you enjoy these reads for Father’s Day and beyond.
Climb On!
by Baptiste Paul; illustrated by Jacqueline Alcántara.
An enthusiastic child entices her reluctant father to go on a hiking adventure through the Caribbean forest to the "tippy top" of a nearby mountain. This enjoyable and exciting read continues with a seek-and-find activity at the end of the book.
Lush and vibrant illustrations invite the reader along on the trip. You can feel the love between father and daughter as they climb to the summit and look down. –Sue
Daddy Speaks Love
by Leah Henderson; illustrated by E.B. Lewis.
Yes, Dads Rock! A beautiful tribute to dads and how they love, comfort, and nurture their children through the ups and downs of life. Evocative watercolors, realistic images and sparse moving prose, present a loving portrayal of dads and parenting.
A positive story of the depth of a father's love for his children. Illustrations match the text and there is diversity in the images of the fathers. –Sydel
Eyes That Speak to the Stars
by Joanna Ho; illustrated by Dung Ho
When a young Asian boy notices that his eyes are different from his friends’, his Father and Grandfather (Agong) tell him that “your eyes rise to the skies.” They look into the past and the future in this inspiring intergenerational story.
I am a big fan of Joanna Ho and the illustrator Dung Ho. East Asian's eyes are always being made fun of. Her books help bring pride to the shape of our eyes. –Valerie
Girl Dad
by Sean Williams; illustrated by Jay Davis
A celebration of girl dads who don’t shy away from daddy duties no matter what. This uplifting read is told in rhyme and is full of fatherly love and joy.
From the founder of The Dad Gang, this heartwarming picture book captures the bond between fathers and daughters in such a sweet way. It shows the importance of a supportive, present and loving relationship between girl dads and their daughters. –Krystina
Daddy-Daughter Day
by Pierce Freelon; illustrated by Olivia Duchess
How many ways can you spend the day together? Limitless options are shared in this playful celebration of the bond between fathers and daughters.
Dads and their daughters who read together will enjoy reading this awesome story over and over and over again! They will probably even decide to have their very own Daddy Daughter Day! –Wayne
Rafa Counts on Papa
by Joe Cepeda
Rafa and his Papa measure everything—how far they can run, which ball bounces highest, and which pillow is the fanciest, but can they measure the love they have for each other?
Bright and colorful illustrations make this a perfect cuddly, cozy read-aloud. –Sue
