Best Picture Books for Father’s Day: 5 Compared

A parent or grandparent picking a gift the week before the holiday wants the best picture books for father’s day without guessing at ages, and this list compares five dad-themed picture books on the facts each listing states. We compared reading age, grade level, page count and publisher, and ranked them by the Shelf Score.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Made for Me by Bush	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	I Love You, Daddy by Harker	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Why a Son Needs a Dad by Lang	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Catch a Daddysaurus by Walstead	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Setting Farts Free by Bexley	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Made for Me by Bush

Zack Bush·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 32-page dad book for the youngest readers, with a customer-listed reading age of Baby - 3 years; early-elementary readers will outgrow it.

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Pros

• A customer-listed reading age of Baby - 3 years.
• 32 pages from Familius, published March 1, 2018.
• The dad theme fits the keyword directly.

Cons

• The reading age is marked as from customers only.
• No grade level detail beyond Preschool - is stated.
• At 32 pages it is one of the shorter reads here.

2

I Love You, Daddy by Harker

Jilliam Harker·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 32-page encouragement tale between father and child for read-aloud time; readers who want humor should skip it.

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Pros

• A customer-listed reading age of Baby and up.
• Grade level Preschool and up is stated.
• 32 pages from Cottage Door Press, published October 1, 2018.

Cons

• The reading age is marked as from customers only.
• At 32 pages it is one of the shorter reads here.
• The premise is sentimental, so humor seekers should skip it.

3

Why a Son Needs a Dad by Lang

Gregory E. Lang·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 40-page celebration of the father-son bond for gift-giving; readers shopping for daughters should skip it.

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Pros

• A customer-listed reading age of Baby and up.
• Grade level Kindergarten - 3 is stated.
• 40 pages, the longest read on this list.

Cons

• The reading age is marked as from customers only.
• The father-son focus narrows the gift audience.
• Published April 1, 2021, an older listing than some picks.

4

Catch a Daddysaurus by Walstead

Alice Walstead·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 40-page dinosaur dad adventure for kids who love a chase; readers who want a gentle bedtime read should skip it.

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Pros

• A customer-listed reading age of 2+ years.
• Grade level Kindergarten - 5 is stated.
• 40 pages from Sourcebooks Wonderland.

Cons

• The reading age is marked as from customers only.
• The dinosaur chase suits action fans, not bedtime readers.
• Published April 4, 2023 with no series position stated.

5

Setting Farts Free by Bexley

Jane Bexley·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 39-page funny read-aloud for families who like silly humor; readers who want a sentimental pick should skip it.

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Pros

• A customer-listed reading age of 1+ years.
• 39 pages, published April 28, 2021.
• The humor premise makes it the funny gift pick.

Cons

• The reading age is marked as from customers only.
• No grade level is stated.
• Independently published, so edition details are thin.

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More picks to compare

• Daddy And Me Board BookSuits the youngest readers; 20-page padded board book, Baby – 2 years.Check on Amazon
• The Night Before Father's DaySuits ages 3 – 6; 32 pages from Grosset & Dunlap.Check on Amazon
• Meet June by MartinSuits ages 4 – 9; Book 6 of 12 in the Calendar Kids series.Check on Amazon
• Grumpy Monkey Father's Day FussSuits ages 4 – 8; 32 pages with fun stickers included.Check on Amazon
• Happy Father's Day from the CrayonsSuits ages 4 – 8; 32 pages, Philomel Books.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 20 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. All five picks state a reading age, each marked as from customers, and four also state a grade level. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best picture books for father’s day

Match the reading age to the child

Every reading age on this list is marked as from customers, which means it is a rough guide, not a publisher recommendation. Made for Me gives Baby – 3 years, Setting Farts Free gives 1+ years, How to Catch a Daddysaurus gives 2+ years, and both I Love You, Daddy and Why a Son Needs a Dad give Baby and up. Compare the age against the child, not the holiday. Our best picture books for gifts list has more gift-worthy picks if none of these fit.

Check the grade level too

Four of the five list a grade level with no customer mark: Preschool – on Made for Me, Kindergarten – 3 on Why a Son Needs a Dad, Preschool and up on I Love You, Daddy, and Kindergarten – 5 on How to Catch a Daddysaurus. When the grade level and the reading age disagree, trust the more specific one for the child in front of you. Browse the picture books shelf for more lists by age.

Pick the tone: sweet or silly

Made for Me and I Love You, Daddy are the sentimental picks, while Dad And Me Setting Farts Free is the humor pick with its funny read-aloud premise. How to Catch a Daddysaurus adds a dinosaur chase for kids who want action over sentiment. For read-aloud tips, our best picture books for interactive read-alouds list pairs well with any of these.

Before you buy

• Check the reading age: all five are marked as from customers, so treat them as a rough guide and compare against the child.
• Check the page count: 32 pages on Made for Me and I Love You, Daddy, 39 on Setting Farts Free, and 40 on the other two.
• Check the format on the listing before buying: confirm whether you are getting a hardcover, paperback or board book.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age are these books for?

The listings give customer-listed reading ages from Baby – 3 years (Made for Me) to 2+ years (How to Catch a Daddysaurus), with grade levels from Preschool to Kindergarten – 5. Treat customer-listed ages as a rough guide.

Which book is the longest?

Why a Son Needs a Dad and How to Catch a Daddysaurus are the longest at 40 pages each. Made for Me and I Love You, Daddy are 32 pages each.

Which pick works as a funny gift?

Dad And Me Setting Farts Free is the humor pick: a 39-page funny read-aloud with a customer-listed reading age of 1+ years. The other four are sentimental or adventure reads.

Still deciding? Our top pickMade for Me by Bush

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Related lists

See every picture book list and all kids and teens lists.

More lists: picture books for mother’s day, picture books for girls and children’s fantasy picture books.