Few things in life make my heart go all aflutter like the sight of my husband curled up on the couch reading to one of our daughters. The snuggles, the reading voice, the attentiveness \u2014 I just know that I\u2019m witnessing a cherished memory being made, and it feels like magic.<\/p>\n
We asked 13 dads to talk about their favorite picture book to read to their kids.<\/p>\n
no no 9780763665227 My Dad Thinks He\u2019s Funny<\/i> by Katrina Germein, illustrated by Tom Jellett <\/p>\n
An ode to dad jokes, this story of a boy and his dad is filled with classic dad one-liners that are sure to make you groan while also warming your heart.<\/p>\n
A dad\u2019s take:<\/strong> “It reminds me of my dad and how he was funny about everything \u2014 from the corny jokes he used to tell to how he\u2019d use humor to get me to do anything. The book also shows how you pass those \u2018dad\u2019 things on to the next generation.” \u2013Alex<\/p>\n 9781524759964 Wee Hee Hee<\/i> by Wee Society <\/p>\n This is definitely the best-looking joke book you\u2019ve ever seen, and it even gives kids tips on how to deliver the perfect punchline.<\/p>\n A dad\u2019s take:<\/strong> “I\u2019ve read Wee Hee Hee<\/i> so often with my kids that they\u2019ve memorized all the jokes \u2014 which just means now they start laughing before the punchlines hit.” \u2013Court<\/p>\n You might also like: <\/strong>Sweet Picture Books That Celebrate Fatherhood<\/a><\/p>\n no no 9780670059836 Llama Llama Red Pajama<\/i> by Anna Dewdney <\/p>\n This is a well-known classic from Anne Dewdney. It provides laughs, love, and an important lesson for all children, and even parents.<\/p>\n A dad\u2019s take:<\/strong> “I have read this story to my daughters more times than I could count through the years, either by request or personal preference. However, I will admit that there were times when instead of Mama, there was a Llama Dadda standing in to witness the drama.” 9781536201574 Hike<\/i> by Pete Oswald <\/p>\n This wordless picture book about a dad and kid going on a big adventure in the woods is filled with delightfully detailed illustrations for kids and parents to pour over. <\/p>\n A dad\u2019s take:<\/strong> “Unapologetically wholesome, but this book is a major source of bonding for me and my three-year-old, especially in periods where she only wants her mom. She loves to \u201cread\u201d it over and over, and without words, she can make up the story!” \u2013Dan<\/p>\n 9780142403877 The Gruffalo<\/i> by Julia Donaldson <\/p>\n The story of a young mouse that invents a terrible creature named the Gruffalo to keep the other animals from eating him is guaranteed to be read over and over again. <\/p>\n A dad\u2019s take:<\/strong> “The book is so fun to read aloud. I\u2019ve exclaimed, ‘Oh help! Oh no! It\u2019s a Gruffalo!’ so many times, but I like to think I bring something new with each performance.” \u2013Rich<\/p>\n 9780593384800 Eat Together<\/i> by Miguel Ordonez <\/p>\n A delightful guessing game book where ants creatively deconstruct and reconstruct shapes to make various food items that’s full of possibility and fun. <\/p>\n A dad\u2019s take:<\/strong> “My kids and I love reading Eat Together<\/i>, a delightful (and beautifully illustrated!) board book which combines the art of counting, the interaction between shapes, and colorful foods all into one.” \u2013Taylor<\/p>\n 9780803741713 The Book with No Pictures<\/i> by B. J. Novak <\/p>\n A book with no pictures might sound unexciting to young readers, but when they realize the person reading it has to read every word out loud \u2014 even total nonsense words \u2014 things can get pretty interesting (and really, really silly!).<\/p>\n A dad\u2019s take:<\/strong> “I love reading The Book with No Pictures<\/i> because it teaches my 4-year-old that reading can be entertaining in various ways, and I get a chance to practice a bunch of funny voices and words. I mean, how often do you get to say BLORK in real life?” \u2013John<\/p>\n 9780525552918 If I Built A School<\/i> by Chris Van Dusen <\/p>\n Young Jack is counting down the days to the new school year by daydreaming about the totally awesome, state-of-the-art school he\u2019d create, complete with hover desks, robo-chefs, and intergalactic field trips for all.<\/p>\n A dad\u2019s take:<\/strong> “My 5-year-old is obsessed with this book (and the whole series) \u2014 she even begged me to read it to her class as a guest reader! It\u2019s wonderfully wacky, surprisingly smart, and the rhyme-y text paired with vibrant artwork sparks big laughs and creative conversations. It\u2019s perfect for bedtime or anytime \u2014 and best of all, it\u2019s a quick, fun read, that even I enjoy reading over and over!” \u2013Adam<\/p>\n 9780525460831 Peek-a-Moo!<\/i> by Marie Torres Cimarusti, illustrated by Stephanie Petersen <\/p>\n With vibrant barnyard animals and oversized flaps to lift, this book is one part read-aloud, one part peek-a-boo game.<\/p>\n A dad\u2019s take:<\/strong> “When we sit down in my daughter’s room after a long day and I reach for this book, she automatically smiles, perks up, and can\u2019t wait to mimic the peek-a-boo gestures and sounds. This book has truly become a staple in our household library.” \u2013Pete<\/p>\n 9780399255373 The Day the Crayons Quit<\/i> by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers <\/p>\n In this classic story, Duncan\u2019s crayons have gone on strike and are letting him know just how they feel in a series of hilarious complaint letters.<\/p>\n A dad\u2019s take:<\/strong> “I really enjoy reading The Crayons series with my 11-month-old daughter. The artwork and stories are goofy and fun, making her belly laugh – which is my favorite sound in the world! I never get tired of reading them and neither does she!” \u2013Ryan<\/p>\n 9780553508734 The Monster at the End of This Book<\/i> by Jon Stone, illustrated by Michael Smollin <\/p>\n This classic, giggle-inducing book stars a frantic Grover desperately trying to keep readers from turning the pages and finding the monster at the end of the book. <\/p>\n A dad\u2019s take:<\/strong> “My son and I really enjoy reading this book together. He energetically turns the pages because Grover is asking him not to, and \u2014 as a rebellious threenager \u2014 he enjoys doing the opposite of what he\u2019s told.” \u2013Nick<\/p>\n 9780763619503 Yummy Yucky<\/i> by Leslie Patricelli <\/p>\n This funny board book teaches kids about opposites with the help of bright, bold illustrations that are sure to get a belly laugh or two.<\/p>\n A dad\u2019s take:<\/strong> “I love hearing my kids\u2019 voices when they repeat the text on each page. Also, my youngest always calls the peach \u2018butt cheeks,\u2019 and it makes me laugh every single time.” \u2013Pete Z.<\/p>\n 9780723264408 Magical Secret Garden<\/i> by Cicely Mary Barker <\/p>\n Lily, a new Flower Fairy, uncovers a message guiding her to a magical secret place. Little readers get to explore with Lily on her journey through the help of pop-ups.<\/p>\n A dad\u2019s take:<\/strong> “I love this book because it\u2019s beautifully illustrated and has a character my daughter can connect to, because she\u2019s curious and adventurous, too.” \u2013Jay<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2021 and updated in 2025.<\/small><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" There’s nothing like witnessing a cherished memory being made. We asked 13 dads to talk about their favorite picture book to read to their kids.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":115570,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[304,324,652,1168],"coauthors":[1038],"class_list":["post-13901","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-fathers-day","tag-dads","tag-holiday","tag-family-and-friendship","ages_stages-baby-toddler","ages_stages-pre-k","ages_stages-growing-reader"],"yoast_head":"\n
\n\u2013Dennis<\/p>\nYou might also like:<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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