Picture books tagged with: father

Mum’s Jumper

A thoughtful, sensitive and realistic portrayal of the thoughts and feelings of a young girl following the death of her mother.

A positive story of how a father and daughter work together to create the perfect hairstyle for a very special day. There are many helpful messages within which could apply to a child who is dealing with an absent or ill parent, or who is simply finding it hard not to give up on a challenging task.

The Fix-It Man

A touching portrayal of how a young girl deals with the loss of her mother.

Jabari Jumps

A lovely exploration of how it feels to face your fears.

Through the Eyes of Me

A useful picture book to simply explain autism to children, it is a positive exploration of how a young girl with autism perceives the world.

And Tango Makes Three

This classic picture book shows children that every family looks different and all family groups are equally valid and wonderful regardless of shape and size, colour or gender: love is all they need!

The Garden of Hope

A poignant yet positive story about a grieving daughter and father and how tending a garden together helps them to begin the healing process and find hope for the future.

The Journey

This powerful story about a family's forced migration to a new country gives children the chance to empathise with people in difficult circumstances. It promotes greater understanding and respect for those with different origins and cultures. Children who are refugees themselves may recognise something of their own story here.

What Happened to Daddy’s Body?

This is a frank and lovingly written book, explaining clearly what happens to someone’s body when they die. It provides young children with a means to understand what happens after death, whilst reassuring them with the message that life goes on for those left behind.

Is Daddy Coming Back in a Minute?

By honestly explaining sudden death in a clear and simple language a young reader can understand, this book will aid a child who is trying to process the concept of a loved-one passing away. The book discusses the feelings of sadness that a child will inevitably feel, but reinforces the message that it’s okay to be happy sometimes, too.

Space Alien at Planet Dad

Perfect for a child who is struggling to cope with adjusting to a new blended family environment. An entertaining and comforting book which has accurately captured the emotions of a child adapting to his father's new partner.

The Great Big Book of Families

Highlighting the fact that families come in all shapes and sizes, this book celebrates diversity, explaining how every personal situation is different. It's a good book for debunking the traditional storybook myth that happy families usually consist of mother, father and two children.

Michael Rosen’s Sad Book

An honest and realistic description of the pain of grief (and the healing process that follows it)

My Daddy’s In Jail

When a family member goes to prison, young children can be frightened and confused and perhaps feel they are in some way to blame. This important book, sensitively written by a former prisoner, is packed full of comforting explanations and reassurance for children in this challenging situation.

A Day With Dad

Shows how the love between a child and an estranged parent can remain strong regardless of how far apart they are. Reinforcing the pride a father and son can have for each other.

Mum and Dad Glue

Acknowledges the emotional challenges children may feel when parents divorce or separate. Reinforces the view that the child is not to blame and will continued to be loved as before, and sometimes it is not possible to 'fix' a problem. Explains that parents can sometimes live happily apart.

No Matter What

May provide reassurance for an insecure or anxious child that their parents' love for them is unconditional and constant, despite the circumstances. It sensitively reinforces the message that love carries on, even after someone dies.

Baby Sitter (First Time)

A good choice of book to set a young child's expectations of what it is like to spend time with a baby sitter. It may calm a child who is anxious about being apart from a parent.

Ever So Ever So

This book may help to explore disgruntled feelings between an older sister and a new baby arriving home. It is hard to accept the adoration and attention mum and dad are giving to new baby sister Susan.

Brody The Lion: The Shopping Flip

Teaching positive behaviour strategies to children experiencing big emotions, this fun picture book is particularly helpful for children with autism or sensory processing disorders.

Daddy’s Time Out

Having a loved one in prison can be bewildering and distressing for a young child. They may feel shame, guilt, separation anxiety, and a host of other challenging emotions, or feel that they are no longer loved by (or feel that it is no longer appropriate for them to love) the estranged person. This simple, age-appropriate story helps to reassure, educate and comfort.

The Girl With Two Dads

This story does a brilliant job of normalising the non-traditional family. It is a great book for all children to read, so that they have acceptance and understanding, and fewer preconceptions about what a "normal" family looks like.

The Night Dad Went to Prison: What to Expect When Someone You Love Goes to Prison

A story which details the practical and emotional impact of a parent going to prison.

Under the Love Umbrella

A book to comfort 'anyone who has ever felt lonely, lost or alone'. Useful for children who are experiencing separation anxiety or loneliness, it sends the comforting message that wherever you are, you are loved.

Love Makes a Family

This fun, inclusive board book for very young children celebrates the one thing that makes every family a family: LOVE.

Feel Better Daddy

An appealing board book that uses simple language, it explores empathy, encouraging young children to understand and respond to another person's feelings.

You Make Your Parents Super Happy

Written to reassure children in separating families that both parents love them and this will never change no matter what happens.

Daddy and I

Spending time with Daddy can be great fun!

Two of Everything

Providing a starting point to encourage children to talk about divorce and separation. Reassuring them that they are not alone in their experiences, and parents can live happily apart.

My Gran has Parkinson’s

This book uses everyday settings and places to explain to young children what Parkinson's is and how it can affect people with the condition. Also available: My Grandad has Parkinsons's, My Mum has Parkinson's and My Dad has Parkinson's.

Dear Daddy

Reassuring children that they are loved despite the fact that a parent sometimes needs to be absent for extended periods. Acknowledging separation anxieties and sadness children may experience when a parent is away from home.

Two Nests

For very young children, experiencing the separation or divorce of their parents can be an extremely confusing and troubling time. This book provides an easily understood and reassuring picture of how family life can continue happily even if parents are living apart.

Tommy’s Dad

Informing and comforting children who have a loved one in prison

Why Are You So Sad?

This book is written especially for a child who has a parent suffering from depression.

My Amazing Dad

May be useful to explain to young children that all fathers are different and each one is good at different things. Introduces the concept of work and careers, and encourages fathers and sons to be proud of one another.

Worried Arthur

May be reassuring to children who suffer from anxiety and help them to realise that others have similar experiences.

My Dads

This book gives a very positive view of living within a blended family. Both men are very proactive parents and the book shows many positive images of the time they spend with their daughter.

Molly and Her Dad

A touching portrayal of the bonding process between a distant father and his daughter. Although their interaction is awkward at first, love shines through and their similarities become obvious to the reader. As the book progresses, Molly adopts her father's funny expressions and behaviour.