Best Fatherhood Books of 2026

The Daily Dad: 366 Meditations on Parenting, Love, and Raising Great Kids by Ryan Holiday is a daily devotional that provides wisdom and guidance on being the role model your child needs. Drawing on his own experience as a father of two, as well as lessons from the lives of legends such as Theodore Roosevelt, Bruce Springsteen, Queen Elizabeth II, Marcus Aurelius, and Toni Morrison, this book offers useful and practical advice for every stage of your child’s life. The Daily Dad is a must-have for any parent or grandparent seeking encouragement, perspective, and guidance on raising great kids.

We're Pregnant! The First Time Dad's Pregnancy Handbook by Adrian Kulp is an essential guide for new dads who want to become excellent first-time fathers and all-time great partners. The book covers everything from the basics of pregnancy to designing a birthing plan and tips on being helpful and supportive for your partner. It provides must-ask questions for the doctor, milestone trackers, and more. What sets this book apart is its focus on one month at a time, making it easy for new dads to know what to expect when and which milestones are coming up. Overall, it's a funny, friendly, and relatable guide that every first-time dad should read.

In Look for Me There, Luke Russert embarks on a journey of self-discovery and grieving after the unexpected death of his father. Chronicling his travels across six continents, Russert shares the lessons and historical understandings he discovers along the way. A poignant reflection on taking risks, examining our choices, and discovering our truest selves, Look for Me There is a beautifully written story of a young man finding his faith and understanding his purpose. This book offers encouragement to anyone uncertain about the direction of their life or unsure of how to move forward after a loss.

Dad Jokes: Over 600 of the Best (Worst) Jokes Around and Perfect Gift for All Ages! is a USA Today bestseller and the perfect funny Christmas gift for dads and pun-lovers alike. With over 600 knee-slappers, head-shakers, and groan-makers, this joke book is packed with enough witty quips and cheesy-but-grate jokes for even the most embarrassing of dads. The book is a great holiday stocking stuffer, white elephant gag gift, or gift for Father's Day, birthdays, and more. Jimmy Niro, the author and proud father of five children, embarrasses his children regularly with his bad dad jokes. This book will definitely make you laugh and is perfect for all ages.

The Intentional Father is a practical guide for fathers and other male mentors who want to raise sons of courage and character. The book includes specific activities, rites of passage, and significant "marking moments" that can be customized to fit any family. Jon Tyson lays out a clear path for fathers and sons that will help them navigate the confusing messages about manhood in our culture. This book is a helpful antidote for dads who feel overwhelmed with the responsibility of raising their sons. Overall, The Intentional Father is an excellent resource for those looking to raise sons of integrity, faith, and consequence.

The Expectant Father: The Ultimate Guide for Dads-to-Be (The New Father, 18) is a comprehensive guide that provides dads-to-be with the information they need to support their partners and prepare for fatherhood. This fifth edition is updated with the latest information about fertility, prenatal care, and delivery, and includes expert advice from leading OB-GYNs and researchers. The book covers the emotional and physical effects of pregnancy on dads, societal expectations, financial implications, and much more. It's a friendly and inclusive companion for all dads-to-be, with stress-relieving cartoons and real-life experiences from hundreds of dads and moms.

The book "Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know" by Dr. Meg Meeker is a guide for fathers on how to become the active and influential figure their daughters need in their lives. Drawing on her experience practicing pediatric and adolescent medicine, Meeker explains how a father's guidance can impact every aspect of a daughter's life, from her self-respect to her decisions on drugs, alcohol, and sex. The book also provides practical advice on how to establish ground rules and become a daughter's hero. Overall, this book is a must-read for fathers who want to strengthen their relationship with their daughters and guide them towards becoming strong, confident, and successful women.

The Exceptionally Bad Dad Jokes is a perfect gift for any dad who loves to tell jokes and make everyone laugh. This book is filled with clean, family-friendly jokes that are sure to make your old chap chuckle. It also serves as an ideal alternative to a card, with the first page providing space for a special message. However, readers should note that this book is not about dads, but instead full of dad jokes: embarrassingly bad jokes that often make the family wince during special occasions. Overall, this book is a wonderfully spiffing addition to any dad's collection of humor books.

Tell Me Your Life Story, Dad is a guided journal and memory keepsake book that helps fathers record their life story with over 200 questions. The questions and prompts are organized into chapters based on your father’s life stages to help him record memories, experiences, treasured moments and reflections. The completed journal becomes a precious treasure and personal keepsake of your father’s most important recollections, stories and life lessons that can be passed down to your children and cherished by future generations. This inclusive book is suitable for all fathers and family structures and is available in both hardcover and paperback.

Baby 411 is the ultimate resource for new parents seeking expert advice on their baby's health, growth, and development. Written by a renowned pediatrician, Dr. Ari Brown, and best-selling author Denise Fields, this book covers everything parents need to know about their newborns, including breastfeeding, weaning, calming a fussy baby, milestones, and more. The latest edition includes up-to-date advice on introducing solid foods, contact naps, and tips for dealing with bottle refusal, as well as the latest research on COVID-19 and nursing moms. Practical, well-researched, and fun to read, Baby 411 is a must-have for anyone responsible for the day-to-day care of children.