We’ve rounded up five fabulous, feel-good Father’s Day picture books—plus fun activity ideas to bring each story to life, whether you’re reading in a classroom or curled up on the couch at home. Let’s turn the page and celebrate the magic of dads and the love that makes every day feel like an adventure!

1. “My Dad Is a Tree” by Jon Agee

📖 What It’s About:
When a little girl asks her dad to be a tree, he goes all in! From standing still to being the best climbing post, this playful story celebrates dads who aren’t afraid to be silly.

Try This:
Classroom: Have kids draw what their dad (or father figure) would be if he were something silly—a tree, a superhero, a hot dog?
At Home: Do a family “pretend play challenge.” Let your child pick what you’ll pretend to be (tree optional!).

2. “Some Daddies” by Carol Gordon Ekster

📖 What It’s About:
This colorful book showcases dads of all kinds—some cook, some dance, some build, some snuggle. It’s an inclusive celebration of fatherhood in its many forms.

Try This:
Classroom: Create a “Dads Are Different” chart or class mural showing all the cool things dads do.
At Home: Talk about what makes your child’s dad (or special adult) unique. Make a drawing or short video together celebrating that!

3. “Because I’m Your Dad” by Ahmet Zappa

📖 What It’s About:
A monster dad shares all the fun, wild, loving things he’ll do—like tickle fights and spaghetti for breakfast. Pure joy and silliness with a whole lot of heart!

Try This:
Classroom: Kids can write or dictate their own version of “Because You’re My Dad…” to create a class book.
At Home: Fill in the blank together: “Because you’re my kid, I will…” Bonus points for outrageous promises like “build a castle out of pillows!”

4. “Daddy Dressed Me” by Michael and Ava Gardner

📖 What It’s About:
Based on a real dad-daughter duo, this story follows Ava as she prepares for a big day—with help from her fashion-loving father. A beautiful tribute to confidence and creativity!

Try This:
Classroom: Set up a fashion design center where kids create an outfit for a special day using fabric scraps or colored paper.
At Home: Have a “fashion show” where your child designs and models a special outfit—bonus fun if a dad or adult helps out!

5. “A Day with Dad” by Bo Rutter

📖 What It’s About:
A touching, gentle story about a child spending time with his dad, who lives far away. It’s a thoughtful, warm-hearted read for all family types.

Try This:
Classroom: Use this book to start a discussion about different types of families. Invite students to draw or write about a “special day” with someone they love.
At Home: Plan your own special day—even if it’s simple! A picnic in the living room, a walk around the block, or a game night can be just as magical.

You can grab all of these books right here!

💡 Bonus Tip – Summer Style!
Turn Father’s Day reading into a family memory-maker! After enjoying one of these books, try making a Father’s Day Memory Jar at home. Have each family member write down a favorite moment or funny story with dad (or another special grown-up). Decorate the jar together and read the memories out loud on Father’s Day morning. It’s a keepsake and a conversation-starter all in one!

Books have the power to connect us, celebrate love, and spark creativity—whether in a classroom circle or curled up on the couch. However you read these Father’s Day favorites, know you’re creating space for joy, appreciation, and lots of smiles.

Keep the Reading Magic Going!
Looking for more end-of-year read-aloud gems? Don’t miss my ultimate list of favorites! And if you want to make storytime extra special, check out my top tips for bringing picture books to life. Your read-aloud game is about to sparkle!

The post 5 Fantastic Father’s Day Picture Books to Celebrate Father’s Day – In the Classroom or at Home! appeared first on Ramona Recommends.

So, in her honor and with the holiday spirit about to be in full swing, I’ve put together a list of picture books that I hope will spark the same joy and connection for you and your family. These books are perfect for building memories, starting conversations, and bringing a little extra sparkle into your classroom or living room. Gather around, enjoy the magic, and let these stories bring warmth and wonder to your holiday season!

A City Full of Santas: A City Full of Santas takes readers on a magical holiday journey where one big-hearted city comes together to spread cheer in the spirit of Santa Claus, showing that kindness is the best gift of all! A teacher could use this story to inspire a classroom kindness project, encouraging students to come up with their own ways to spread holiday cheer within the school or community.

Christmas Forever: Christmas Forever is a delightful story where Christmas magic never seems to end, capturing the joy, love, and warmth that make the holiday season feel truly endless! Teachers could use this book to explore students’ holiday traditions or to create a writing activity where they imagine their own “perfect Christmas.”

Red and Lulu: In Red and Lulu, two cardinals find themselves separated in the bustling holiday season but are reunited in a heartwarming journey to the majestic Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center—an enchanting tale of love and finding your way home. Teachers could use this story to introduce a lesson on empathy and resilience, encouraging students to discuss the importance of family and traditions during the holiday season.

Elmore The Christmas Moose: Elmore The Christmas Moose follows a friendly moose on a snowy adventure to help Santa when he needs it most, making this story a delightful reminder that even the most unlikely friends can make the holiday bright! Teachers could use this book to spark a discussion on teamwork and how everyone has unique strengths, then engage students in a team-building activity where they work together to “save Christmas” with creative problem-solving.

Carla’s Christmas Cornbread: Carla’s Christmas Cornbread is a sweet story about family traditions and the love baked into holiday treats, as Carla creates her special cornbread to bring everyone together in a Christmas celebration like no other! Teachers could use this book to launch a holiday traditions unit, where students share family recipes or favorite holiday foods, creating a class “Holiday Recipe Book” to take home.

Our Favorite Day of the Year:Our Favorite Day of the Year follows a group of students as they each share their favorite holiday, learning about one another’s cultures and traditions while building friendship and understanding. Teachers could use this book to create a “Favorite Day” project, where each student can present a special holiday or tradition from their own family, fostering a sense of inclusion and cultural appreciation within the classroom.

To see even more book recommendations, click here for the PDF printable list and the images below for the full storefront. Happy Reading!

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The post Christmas and Holiday Books to Read This December appeared first on Ramona Recommends.