Girl Dad: An Empowering Rhyming Picture Book Celebrating Loving Fathers and Strong Daughters for Kids

by Sean Williams, Jay Davis (Illustrator)

A picture book celebration of #GirlDads everywhere by The Dad Gang CEO, Sean Williams!

Told in upbeat rhyming verse, Girl Dad is a picture book that honors the strong men who raise, love, and uplift strong girls. This keepsake is a fun read-aloud and perfect gift for the special dad in your life.

Perfect for fans of Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry and Made for Me by Zack Bush.

Share Girl Dad with the dads in your life, on Father's Day or any day.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens, Fiction, African American, Realistic Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

Published April 7, 2026

Reviews

[Zibby Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is a girl dad? This story follows three fictional men of color as they interact with their daughters. They are the dads who love to do girly things with their daughters, fix their hair, paint nails, play with dolls, and use makeup. It's a shame that some dads think the only way to pass down a legacy is through a son. This picture book honors all the strong men who raise, love and uplift strong girls.

This is in rhyming text. One passage said, "He plans the best daddy-daughter dates. He picks your favorite flower. He lets you make your own decisions and show off your girl power." I love how these dads aren't afraid of their own girl power and showing their softer side. And I love the scenes where they do the dances their daughters are performing at a recital. So sweet. We need to celebrate dads more and this book does just that!

To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://www.momsdonthavetimetoreadboo...

[Nursebookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

TITLE: GIRL DAD
AUTHOR: Sean Williams
ILLUSTRATOR: Jay Davis
PUB DATE: 03.22.2022

A fun read-aloud written in upbeat rhyming verse, Girl Dad is a picture book that honors the strong men who raise, love, and uplift strong girls.  
 
Perfect for fans of Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry and Made for Me by Zack Bush.
 
Share Girl Dad with the dads in your life, on Father's Day or any day.

REVIEW: The beautiful illustrations highlight the joys of being a father to a daughter. Williams did a great job, through this light hearted children’s book, in reshaping and redefining the image of Black fatherhood.
I found the illustrations of the dad and daughter interactions adorable, sweet, funny, and heartwarming. The message of being a Girl Dad and the value of this role of a father, immediately came through this enchanting picture book!

[Jacki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book shows dads throwing gender norms out the window to build relationships with their daughters, and it's a joyful celebration of Black dads. It does have a really weird spread about daddy-daughter dances, and it could have emphasized traditionally girly activities a little less, plus it has unnecessary rhyme. It is quite adorable and sweet and would make a great gift book for any new dad or dad with a young girl, provided they're into that daddy-daughter dance/date language.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

“A girl dad is serious and tough! But he has a soft side, too.”

A girl dad isn’t afraid to wear pink bows or fingernail polish. A girl dad helps his little girl believe in herself and keeps her safe, as well. A girl dad will go to any length to let his baby girl knows how much he loves her.

Sweet.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A celebration of girl dads. This book has dads proudly wearing pink and bows and having tea parties while also teaching their daughters to be brave. It does lean a bit too much into stereotypical girly things, but it does include activities too. A must red for all girl dads. A good gift for a girl dad's birthday or Father's Day.

[Anna Brigance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Girl Dad by Sean Williams is such a sweet story about girls and their fathers. The fathers aren't absent, but instead playing alongside their daughters and wearing cute bows that their daughters pick out for them.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful and awesome illustrations! The story is really sweet too. I really enjoyed this book! It doesn't mention Father's Day, but it would make a great gift and a great story to read on that day or any day really.

[Anita]

I definitely did not make my dad wear pink bows, never been a fan. I did, however, insist my dad be the Barney to my Baby Bop one Halloween. This book reminded me of all of the reasons I am thankful for my father. <3 Thank you, Dad.

[Lori Tart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful, sweet hearted, glorious book is too good not the share with every Girl Dad and person you know. Williams has captured the perfect relationship between girls and their supportive adoring fathers. Don't walk, run to your library or book store for this incredible story.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the concept of this because my husband is an amazing dad, and I think stories need good dads. But I didn't like the artwork, and also kids need a mom and a dad, and there was no mention of mom in here.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet and upbeat book to read! Great for Father's Day, this book celebrates dads of daughters who do loads of fun things with them -- even wearing bows! Adorable illustrations.

[Rosie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this adorable story about a girl and her Dad! The story itself is short, but sweet, and the illustrations are beautiful.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feel like this is the kind of book you give a guy when he finds out he's having a girl.

[Chrisine · Rating 5 out of 5]

So perfect! A great book to celebrate the girl dads in a child life! Beautiful illustrations and a strong message.

[LeeTravelGoddess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course this book is as gorgeous as it’s cover!!! 💚💚💚 it’s a tops!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet!

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great illustrations and a spot-on rhyme! This one would make a perfect read-aloud for Father's Day.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks dads!

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This was very sweet. ♥

[jessica ☾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful read. It did come off a bit gendered though with the mention of a pink bow, but otherwise I enjoyed it.

[Jocelin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super sweet picture book that praises the the ferociously loving and gentle spirit of a girl dad.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars for this celebration of boy dads

[Muva Shan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewing bedtime stories… again

Cute story! A great book to gift that girl dad in your life. Would be a great story for them to read together

[anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't remember Boy Dad being quite so stereotypically gendered? IDK it's been a while. A good book on a case by case basis with kids.

[Shone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a daddy's girl, and this book really touched my heart. I miss him. This is the perfect book for a father and daughter to share on his or her birthday and Father's Day.

[AbsentLibrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

My heart. Loving ode to girl dads.

[Darlena Glenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poetic verses with colorful images! Bravo!

[Phylis Carpenter]

My granddaughter just loved this cute story. She is 6 months old and loves to turn the pages and look at the pictures.

She sits quietly and listens to the story.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this up and read it in store while browsing. Sweet narrative and a good message for both girls and girl dads about all the ways that a dad is there to support them. Cute illustrations, too!

[Holly Wagner · Rating 3 out of 5]

SO ADORABLE! Being a girl dad is whole thing, isn't it? I loved the illustrations and the rhyming. Really adorable book. Strong and diverse families.