Fathers Day books to read with children and unique Fathers Day gift ideas

June 17, 8:32 PMParenting ExaminerKaren Deerwester

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Love is reading together!

Dads deserve a special Father's Day to recognize all the amazing things that dads do.  And, reading to children is top of the list.  Just as Dad's music has a certain daddy style; the best daddy books celebrate dad's uniqueness - as the biggest, strongest, smartest and, maybe, wildest person around.

Here's my list for some fun, wacky read-together children's books for Father's Day.  With a little imagination, you can turn the book into a gift package with some silly extras.

1. My Father the Dog by Elizabeth Bluemie.  Your child will laugh at the idea  that dad is just pretending to be human.  And imagine the real-life potential for ad-libbing after reading this story.  Clever & fun!  Add some cookie dough and these cool doggie cookie cutters.   Or a stuffed animal that most reminds you of Dad's would-be doggie personality.
2. A Wild Father's Day by Sean Callahan.  Create a new Father's Day tradition by acting like wild animals all day!  Sounds perfect to me.  Check out Oriental Trading Company for "wild" props or or grab some black fabric paint to paint zebra stripes on white t-shirts and wear matching shirts for your wild day adventure.
3. Me with You by Kristy Dempsey and Christopher Denise.  Here's a special book for special grandparents.  You child will soak up the sweetness of the rhymes and the beautiful illustrations.  Add a fishing pole or a fishing game to create more shared memories together.
4. The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish by Neil Gaiman.  Here's a fun and wacky Father's Day book for early elementary school readers, though some pre-k kids will enjoy the story with Dad reading it.  What's a dad worth in your neighborhood?  And who would buy him?  And...what will mom say about the trade?  Here's a story that lives long after you close the book.  If you've been looking for an opportunity to buy a couple of goldfish and supplies, buy them for Father's Day with this book!
5. The Daddy Mountain by Jules Feiffer.  This book wasn't a huge hit in the stores but I found it from my favorite independent bookseller, Books & Books in Miami.  Who's the biggest, best mountain to climb...Daddy!  The idea of Daddy being your child's personal mountain is a great Father's Day message.  Enjoy!  And choose your favorite modeling clay from Discount School Supply.  Set aside some mountain-making time for Father's Day.

Happy Father's Day Dads!  You add something unique and wonderful to your children's lives.