Books for raising kind, emotionally open boys
29 hand-picked books from the Bookbear catalogue tagged “nurturing men & boys”, with Indian authors first. Each one has an age range, a short description, a heads-up on any sensitive topics and a link to buy in India.
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Dadaji's Paintbrush
by Rashmi Sirdeshpande
Ages 4–8Indian author
A boy and his grandfather paint together every day in their village. When Dadaji dies, the boy finds his way back to painting and to happy memories.
Heads-up: Death of a grandparent
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Thatha's Pumpkin
by Lalita Iyer
Ages 4–7Indian author
Tia's grandfather has grown an enormous pumpkin — the biggest he's ever seen. When it's too large to eat alone, Tia must find homes for each little wedge. A gentle story about generosity, sharing, and community.
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Flying with Grandpa
by Madhuri Kamat
Ages 5–8Indian author
A poignant, funny story about the special bond between a grandfather and his grandson. A perfect read-aloud that children and adults will love.
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My Grandfather's Funny Eyebrows
by Arthy Muthanna Singh & Mamta Nainy
Ages 4–7Indian author
A warm, giggle-filled picture book about a grandchild's deep fascination with a wonderfully eccentric grandfather — and the legendary eyebrows that seem to have a personality of their own.
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Zakir and His Tabla: Dha Dhin Na
by Sandhya Rao
Ages 5–10Indian author
From the rhythms his father Ustad Alla Rakha played to him as a newborn to taking the tabla to the world, this joyful picture-book biography follows Zakir Hussain's life in beats and vignettes. Illustrated by Priya Kuriyan.
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Dancing in Thatha's Footsteps
Ages 4–6Indian author✈️ Import only (pricey)
Varun peeks into his sister's Bharatanatyam class and discovers he loves dance too — with their grandfather cheering him on. South Asia Book Award winner.
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Daddy, Papa, and Me
by Lesléa Newman
Ages 1–4
A toddler spends a busy, happy day playing, cooking and cuddling with Daddy and Papa. A warm rhyming board book about a two-dad family.
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Owl Moon
by Jane Yolen
Ages 4–8
A girl and her father walk quietly through the snowy woods on a winter night to go owling. A Caldecott Medal classic about patience, wonder and time together.
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Knuffle Bunny
by Mo Willems
Ages 2–5
Trixie and her dad take a trip to the laundromat, and her beloved bunny gets left behind. A funny Caldecott Honor story about a dad who saves the day.
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Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me
by Eric Carle
Ages 2–6
Monica wants to play with the moon, so Papa fetches a very long ladder and climbs up to get it for her. A classic with fold-out pages about a father's love.
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My Papi Has a Motorcycle
by Isabel Quintero
Ages 4–8
Daisy rides with her carpenter dad through their changing neighbourhood every evening. A love letter to fathers, daughters and home.
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Night Job
by Karen Hesse
Ages 4–8
A boy spends Friday nights with his dad on his job as a school custodian, sweeping, listening to the ball game and falling asleep to the hum of the floor polisher.
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Dad by My Side
by Soosh
Ages 3–6
A little girl and her dad do everything together, from building to exploring to comforting each other. Gentle illustrations celebrate a father's steady love.
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My Dad Used to Be So Cool
by Keith Negley
Ages 3–6
A boy wonders why his dad, who once played in a band and rode a motorcycle, isn't cool anymore, and discovers what his dad chose instead.
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Just Me and My Dad
by Mercer Mayer
Ages 3–6
Little Critter goes camping with his dad and is sure he's taking care of everything. A gentle, funny classic about a father's patience.
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I'm a Big Brother
by Joanna Cole
Ages 2–5
A boy welcomes the new baby home and learns all the ways he can help look after him. A reassuring book for new big brothers.
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The New Small Person
by Lauren Child
Ages 3–7
Elmore Green doesn't want to share his life with his new little brother, until the two of them find they have a lot in common.
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Kitchen Dance
by Maurie J. Manning
Ages 3–7
Two children creep downstairs to find their parents singing and dancing while doing the dishes, and are scooped into the dance.
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Drawn Together
by Minh Lê
Ages 4–8
A boy and his Thai-speaking grandfather can't understand each other's words, until they discover they both love to draw.
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Big Papa and the Time Machine
by Daniel Bernstrom
Ages 4–8
A boy is scared on his first day of school, so his grandfather takes him on a ride through his own memories of being brave.
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Jabari Jumps
by Gaia Cornwall
Ages 3–6
Jabari is sure he's ready to jump off the diving board, until he's at the top. With his dad's gentle support, he finds his courage.
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Taking the Long Way Home
by Jake Hope
Ages 4–5
Zahra hates long walks but when Uncle Jerome picks her up birds become pterodactyls and the walk becomes a magical adventure.
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Enemy Pie
by Derek Munson
Ages 5–7
Jeremy's dad has a recipe for enemy pie — but first Jeremy has to spend a whole day with his enemy. A warm, funny story about turning rivals into friends.
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Hair Love
by Matthew A. Cherry
Ages 4–7
A young Black girl wants her hair to look perfect for a special occasion, so her father — who has never done hair before — steps up. Celebrates Black hair and father-daughter love. Academy Award-winning film.
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Alma and How She Got Her Name
by Juana Martinez-Neal
Ages 4–7
Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela wonders why she has so many names — until her father tells the story of each ancestor they honour. Caldecott Honor. A love letter to heritage.
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A New Year's Reunion
by Yu Li-Qiong
Ages 3–6
A young girl's father comes home for Chinese New Year — making dumplings, setting off fireworks, sharing warmth before he must leave again. A tender, luminous picture book. Bologna Ragazzi Award winner.
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Grandpa's Ocean
by Arielle North Olson
Ages 3–7
A grandfather and grandson explore whales, starfish, sea lions, and glorious sunsets together on a seaside visit, celebrating the bond between generations.
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Grandad's Camper
by Harry Woodgate
Ages 4–8
A granddaughter remembers the adventures her grandad and his late husband Gramps once had in their camper van — and helps Grandad find the courage to hit the road again. A tender story about love, loss and LGBTQ+ family, winner of the Klaus Flugge Prize.
Heads-up: Death & grief
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Talking Is Not My Thing
by Rose Robbins
Ages 3–7
A lively picture book following a non-verbal autistic girl and her big brother through their busy day — full of energy, humor and a fresh way of seeing communication.
