When my husband added “father” to his resume three years ago, I started the tradition of giving him a dad-related picture book each year on Father’s Day. I love an excuse to give books, and if you do too, I’d highly recommend gifting one on Father’s Day this year.
Books are a great Father’s Day gift because…
- You can wrap something up to put on the table, but ultimately, books are an experience gift.
- Dad has a new book to read with your kids. He can do something “father-y” to celebrate Father’s Day. (And then you can let him go fishing or shopping or whatever else the dad in your life likes to do.)
- Books are awesome!
And now…the books!
Your Baby’s First Word will Be DADA by Jimmy Fallon
This was the first book I got for my husband. It is really quite simple and silly, and our less-than-one-year-old loved it. He learned his animals, some sounds they make, and, yes, the word “Dada.” (But he still said “Mama” first!) More impressively, when he was approaching two years old, he began recognizing and then spelling the word Dada with his magnetic letters.
This book is good for…
- Animal recognition
- Animal sound recognition
- Trying to get your child to say “DADA”
How to Cheer Up Dad by Fred Koehler
How to Cheer Up Dad is the story of Little Jumbo’s attempts to cheer up Dad, who seems to be having a bad day for some reason (Hint: The reason is Little Jumbo!). Our son’s favorite moments include Little Jumbo running out of his house naked after his bath and Little Jumbo suggesting that Dad needs a time out. Told from the perspective of Little Jumbo, this funny read is great for teaching perspective and inferencing. Ask questions like: “How do you think Dad feels? How would this story be different if Little Jumbo’s dad told it?” To top it off, there are a few great moments where kids can practice making predictions. Ask: “What do you think might happen next?”
This book is good for…
- Teaching perspective and inferencing
- Practicing making predictions
- Sharing laughs
A Father’s Love by Hannah Holt
Shh…don’t tell my husband! This is what he’s getting this year. More “serious” than the other books I’ve gotten him, this gem from Hannah Holt features rhyming text that beautifully gives glimpses into the real-life care different animal daddies give to their babies. The book does triple duty teaching color concepts, figurative language (think similes), and facts about animal dads (there is some extra info in the back matter). Plus, the illustrations are just so sweet and beautiful.
This book is good for…
- Teaching color concepts (for younger listeners) and similes (for older listeners)
- Learning about animal dads and how they care for their young
- Identifying rhyming words
Here’s a bonus classroom activity to do for Father’s Day!
- Read A Father’s Love to your class.
- Have each student use A Father’s Love as a mentor text to write their own short rhyme about how their dad or another father figure in their life cares for them. Depending on the age of students, have them incorporate a color AND/OR use a simile.
- Revise, Edit, and Polish these rhymes with partners or in small groups.
- Have students type their rhymes. Print them out. Have students illustrate them to take home as Father’s Day cards.
Your Turn! What are your Father’s Day gift traditions? What book would you recommend gifting this year?
Last year we gifted David “Daddies Do” by Lezlie Evans. I’ll have to look into your suggestions for this year!!
I haven’t read that one! I’m on my way to check it out now. 🙂