“Whether biological, foster, or adoptive, they teach us through the encouragement they give, the questions they answer, the limits they set, and the strength they show in the face of difficulty and hardship.” ―Barack Obama
Barack Obama’s Father’s Day Proclamation given on June 15, 2012 was a loving tribute to fathers and men who stand in the gap, taking on an essential role in the lives of children. It is a running joke that Father’s Day does not get as much recognition as other holidays, but there are great men who are ever-present and debunk myths and stereotypes about Black fathers. The search for children’s books that shine a brilliant light on Black fathers, granddads, and men who uplift their families—biological and otherwise—revealed a considerable need for more books on the subject.
Obama’s proclamation also included a call-to-action for some dads to “re-engage with their families.” The reasons for disengagement may vary. Issues like divorce or incarceration, which are the realities for many children, are addressed along with stories and poems about dads and granddads cooking, doing hair, praying, or just hanging out.
What are your thoughts on our list? If you have any to add, please leave a comment below. Our stories matter.
Happy Father’s Day!
Hair Love
Matthew A. Cherry | Vashti Harrison | Kokila | 2019 | Bookshop | IndieBound | Amazon
I Am Perfectly Designed
Karamo Brown | Jason “Rachel” Brown | Anoosha Syed | Henry Holt BYR | 2019 | Bookshop | IndieBound | Amazon
I’ll Be Right There
Jonathan J Marshall | Julia Orthey | Independently Published | 2019 | Amazon
I Love You More Than . . .
Taye Diggs | Shane W. Evans | Feiwel & Friends | 2018 | Bookshop | IndieBound | Amazon
A Card for My Father
Samantha Thornhill | Morgan Clement | Penny Candy Books | 2018 | Bookshop | IndieBound | Amazon
Sing to the Moon
Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl | Sandra van Doorn | Lantana Publishing | 2018 | Bookshop | IndieBound | Amazon
My Daddy Rules the World: Poems about Dads
Hope Anita Smith | Henry Holt and Co BYR | 2017 | Bookshop | IndieBound | Amazon
Pop Pop and Me and a Recipe
Irene Smalls | Cathy Ann Johnson | Xist Publishing | 2014 | Bookshop | IndieBound | Amazon
Knock Knock: My Dad’s Dream for Me
Daniel Beaty | Bryan Collier | Little, Brown BYR | 2013 | Bookshop | IndieBound | Amazon
Daddy Goes to Work
Jabari Asim | Aaron Boyd | Little, Brown BYR | 2006 | IndieBound | Amazon
When Daddy Prays
Grimes Nikki | Tim Ladwig | Eerdmans | 2004 | Bookshop | IndieBound | Amazon
A Day with Daddy
Nikki Grimes | Nicole Tadgell | Teaching Resources | 2004 | IndieBound | Amazon
Visiting Day
Jacqueline Woodson | James Ransome | Scholastic Press | 2002 | Bookshop | IndieBound | Amazon
Just the Two of Us
Will Smith | Kadir Nelson | Scholastic | 2001 | Amazon
Kevin and His Dad
Irene Smalls | Michael Hays | Little, Brown BYR | 1999 | IndieBound | Amazon
Daddy Calls Me Man
Angela Johnson | Rhonda Mitchell | Orchard Books | 1997 | Bookshop | IndieBound | Amazon
In Daddy’s Arms I Am Tall: African Americans Celebrating Fathers
Various Authors | Javaka Steptoe | Lee & Low Books | 1997 | Bookshop | IndieBound | Amazon
A Lullaby for Daddy
Edward Biko Smith | Susan Anderson | Africa World | 1997 | Amazon
Always My Dad
Sharon Dennis Wyeth | Raul Colon | Knopf BYR | 1994 | Amazon
When I Am Old with You
Angela Johnson | David Soman | Perfection Learning | 1993 | Bookshop | IndieBound | Amazon
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