Hot Dads in Children’s Books

Joanna, some of the photos you have posted of your dad when he was younger? He was a hottie! And still a handsome man today.

The dad and narrator in “Here We Are”, aka Oliver Jeffers. Also the dad in “Happy in our Skin”, swoon. Ooh, and the dad in “Seven Silly Eaters”! He plays the upright bass and is dead sexy.

If my local librarian follows COJ, they may figure out the theme to my latest spree of putting books on hold. No, really, it’s for my children! ;-) I really like Big Boys Cry by Jonty Howley. All throughout the pages burly men are tearing up.

My husband is literally Daniel from guess who. Yes, in person it works too!!! 😆

“Get it, Ira’s mom” HAHAHA

Oooh, the Dad in Charlie & Mouse! Trying so hard to give his wife all the things for her birthday – including a day off! And good shoulders to boot.

Pa Ingalls in the Little House books–he just seemed so kind and capable and *manly*, and so very fond of funny little Laura (whom of course I identified with far more than Mary)!

This is hilarious and delightful. Adding another book dad – that tattooed hottie in My Dad Used to Be So Cool.

Has anyone referenced the super sexy, tatted up, hairstyle tutorial-watching dad from Hair Love??! LOVE HIM

In Little Rabbit’s Loose Tooth, the mom is playing the flute and the dad is reading the paper – in a lot of kids’ books from the 70’s/80’s, mom and dad are doing their own thing, reading or gardening or playing an instrument or chatting with friends, and the kids have to go find them to ask a question or get help. And that’s what I remember from my own childhood – I always felt loved and taken care of but my parents were their own people and weren’t up in my face all day. And I think my brother took up guitar and piano, and we’re both such avid readers because they were playing instruments and reading all the time in front of us! It’s so different from the parenting I see now, where it feels like you’re supposed to be actively engaged with your kids all the time. I’m working on not feeling guilty about sitting down with a novel or just telling the kids “it’s nice out – go outside!” while I do my own thing.

My friend sent me this instagram the other day and I said it needed to include the hot dad from One Morning in Maine (who is really based on the author himself, Robert McCloskey of Make Way for Ducklings and Blueberries for Sal).

Dude is tall and lanky, with tight hair and round glasses. He takes his daughters clamming and on a boat ride to town for ice cream. Kinda hot for 1952.

And similarly to Iggy Peck (same illustrator) the dad and mom of Ada Twist Scientist are hotness/fashion goals. LOVE THEM.

‘Get it, Ira’s mom.’ I am DECEASED.

So we’re just not going to talk about the Man with the Yellow Hat? He has a let monkey, for crying out loud! And a killer profile.

Hear me out..the Dino dad in Asher the Dino! Stays at home so Mom can pursue her career goals- yes, please!

Not a children’s book, but related: did anyone else think Charlie (Bella’s dad) was the best part of the Twilight movies?? He definitely has all the hot dad qualities!

I nominate Fred from theMcDuff stories by Rosemary Wells. Throughout the series, he is consistently kind and engaged in the work of being there for his family. He reads the comics to McDuff, cares for the baby and even holds hands/paw with his wife and dog while they sleep. He pulls off a classy cardigan, bathrobe or bow tie with style and who could resist that closed mouth smile with those dimples!

Haaaaahahahahaha this is the best

This post is deliciously fun and I will never look at kids’ books the same way again!

OK, he’s a mouse BUT: Mr. Slinger, Lilly’s teacher in “Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse.” He “wears artistic shirts and is sharp as a tack!”

My son always thought the dad in “All the World” (also featured on the IG posts) was his papa. And I always thought “hell yeah that could be your babe dad”.

I was laughing so hard and the comments are just as great…I had to check the clock because I thought I was late for a teams. 😂

I think Mister Incredible. Even if he was a superhero he also was vulnerable (thinking he was fat and trying to lose weight, risking his life to not lose of his girl…). I really next door guy that can be Incredible when shows up the truth of his heart.

The grandpa in ‘Last Stop on the Reindeer Express’ is off the charts. ZADDY!!!!

this entire post is pure gold.

My husband teaches 8th grade and a mom told me last year that the girls in the back of her minivan were talking about how “fine” he is… and that he “looks like a Pixar dad!” 😂 Not a picture book but kinda the same idea and SO FUNNY coming from a middle schooler!