Picture Books That Celebrate BIPOC Dads
by Naima Jasmine Russell
New tie? New tools? A coffee mug that says “world’s greatest dad”? Rolling your eyes and yawning? I totally understand. Try gifting a book if you’re looking for a more meaningful and less predictable gift for Father’s Day. Have your kid(s) sign the inside of the book, include the year and maybe a tiny handprint, and you’ve made a keepsake for him to treasure. As a bonus, reading aloud with kids creates bonding, increased literacy, and memories for years to come.
I’ve rounded up 11 of the sweetest books to celebrate the BIPOC fathers in your life, because all fathers deserve to see themselves reflected in the books they read to kids.
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Hair Love
Available from:Hair Love has become an instant classic. Zuri needs help doing her hair for a special occasion, and with the help of a loving father, they create something beautiful. This book is an absolute favorite in our house, and there is also a tear-jerking animated short film to go with it.
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Brick by Brick
Available from:Brick by brick, Papi builds the buildings in the city. And book by book, Luis learns at school. Father and son mirror each other throughout the day, both of them dreaming big. This is a sweet book for dads who work in construction, and it includes Spanish phrases throughout.
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Tuesday Is Daddy's Day
Available from:Father’s Day is in the middle of Pride Month, and this book celebrates both events beautifully. With crayon-style illustrations, we see a healthy family composed of a mom, a dad, and the dad’s partner Harry, co-parenting a little girl with love. But what happens when mom picks up the girl on Tuesday instead of dad? This story has an excellent lesson on appreciating what we have, shows readers that change is a good thing, and has a sweet surprise ending.
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I Love King Dad! (Nella the Princess Knight)
I will always recommend Step Into Reading books for young readers. They have been a staple in our home, hooking my beginning readers with short sentences, colorful pages, and familiar characters. My girls love watching princess Nella and her adorable interracial family on Disney Junior. This is a fun book for your new reader to read to a father figure.
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My Papi Has a Motorcycle
Available from:Daisy Ramona waits for her father to come home so they can ride his motorcycle through the city as the sun sets. As they zoom past their favorite spots, readers will experience vibrant illustrations and a window into Corona, California’s rapidly changing immigrant neighborhood. It’s a beautiful love letter from the author to her father and their community.
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Leo Loves Daddy
Available from:Meet Leo, the baby brother of Lola from Anna McQuinn’s beloved Lola series. In this sweet board book, baby Leo spends the day with Daddy, getting tickled, making pancakes, going to the park, and getting the best bedtime snuggles.
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Grandfather Tang's Story
Available from:First published in 1990, Grandfather Tang’s Story has become a classic that continues to delight new readers. When Little Soo asks her grandfather for a story, Grandfather Tang uses his tangram pieces—an ancient Chinese puzzle—to create a magical tale. More than an entertaining story, this picture book is a perfect example of spending quality time with your loved ones.
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Daddy Speaks Love
Available from:With watercolor illustrations by E. B. Lewis that could hang in a museum, this book is a gorgeous tribute to fathers from all walks of life. What do daddies do? They give hugs, scare away monsters, answer a million questions, and provide encouragement. Daddies also teach their children about equality, justice, change, and love.
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Jabari Jumps
Available from:This is a fantastic, modern classic about a little boy named Jabari who sets his sights on conquering the local pool’s high jump. Yes, this book is about having confidence, trying new things, and conquering your fears. But what stood out to me was Dad’s A+ parenting. Jabari’s dad is patient, asks open-ended questions, and allows Jabari to make his own choices.
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I Love Daddy Every Day
Daddy is a magician and a storyteller; he is kind and patient, and so much more. This adorably illustrated book of diverse father-child pairings celebrates the moments that make Daddy special all year long. It even has a space in the back to list what you love about your dad. This book makes a sweet and memorable gift.
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It's Great Being a Dad
It’s great being a unicorn, bigfoot, robot, or a fairy queen ballerina doctor (I have one in my house). But what happens when the mythical creatures get themselves into heaps of trouble? It’s Dad to the rescue! A laugh-out-loud story about imagination, mythical creatures, and the wonderful things about being a dad.
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