Are you looking for the best book for new dads? Look no further than these fifteen great reads for the guy who’ll be a dad any day now.
The role of dads in the home has changed dramatically over the last few decades.
New dads are taking a much more active role in caring for their kids, helping out around the house, and even assuming the role of a stay-at-home father.
And the ranks of stay-at-home and single fathers have grown significantly in recent decades.
The number of stay-at-home fathers in the United States is an estimated 1.4 million, more than double from just ten years ago.
With fathers taking on more responsibility in child-rearing, it’s only natural that the amount of information available to new and expectant fathers has also increased.
For this reason, more books for new dads are available. I should know I wrote a book for new dads. And of course, it’s on this list.
Before you choose a popular parenting style or accidentally give your child an awful first name, learn everything you’ll need to know about being a new dad.
Here are the best books for new dads to add to every expectant father’s reading list.
(Disclaimer – the following article contains links to Amazon to purchase books. This website makes a small fee off of any sales of books.)
Best Books For New Dads For 2024
You’re Going To Be A Dad! The New Dad’s Guide To Pregnancy and The First Year of Fatherhood
The moment you find out you’re going to be a dad is one of incredible joy, shock, and anxiousness – often all the same time! This detailed ultimate dad’s guide is from DaddiLife and provides the reassurance and practical advice needed for first-time fathers.
The reason they wrote the book for fathers was to address the real challenges that new dads and expectant fathers through, while also providing the answers at every step of the way – from conception and early scans, through to delivery and the full first year with your baby, including the important milestones at each stage with your new extended family.
WHAT NEW DADS WILL LEARN FROM THIS BOOK: This book is based on 5 years of research and understanding of what dads experience throughout pregnancy and beyond. And just like your wife, research is hard to argue with!
BUY NOW
The New Dad Dictionary: Everything He Really Needs to Know – from A to Z
Naturally, this is my favorite book for new dads because I wrote it! But seriously, “The New Dad Dictionary” is a great resource for expectant fathers.
Here’s why – it’s a crash course in today’s parenting language, guiding new dads through all the terms they’ll hear during doctor visits when reading magazines, websites, and even some of these books for new dads and during conversations with the mom-to-be.
WHAT NEW DADS WILL LEARN FROM THIS BOOK: Featuring hundreds of real-life explanations for popular words and phrases, this book for dads-to-be not only translates these textbook terms into plain English but also teaches you what changes to expect from your baby — and mom –during this time.
Don’t bang your head against the wall and discover everything you need to know about raising a child.
BUY NOW
We’re Pregnant! The First Time Dad’s Pregnancy Handbook
Being a great first-time dad doesn’t mean being perfect. It means having the tools you need to be a supportive partner during and after pregnancy. Which is precisely what “We’re Pregnant! The First-Time Dads Pregnancy Handbook” is all about.
From heartburn and headaches to birth and breastfeeding, “We’re Pregnant!” features practical, action-oriented pregnancy advice from the author of the Dad or Alive blog, Adrian Kulp.
Kulp is a once- clueless dad whos been there and done that – three times, in fact!
WHAT NEW DADS WILL LEARN FROM THIS BOOK: “We’re Pregnant!” delivers real-world pregnancy advice with a humorous tone that will get first-time dads ready, willing, and able to carry their portion of the pregnancy weight.
Pickles and ice cream not included.
BUY NOW
The Dad’s Playbook: Wisdom For Fathers From The Greatest Coaches Of All Time
This gift book for dad collects more than 100 inspiring quotes from the greatest coaches of all time.
After all, dads do what the best coaches do: they motivate, mentor, discipline, and love.
Author and parenting expert Tom Limbert takes wisdom from John Madden, Vince Lombardi, Tommy Lasorda, Phil Jackson, and many more, and applies it to fatherhood.
With a foreword by Steve Young and photos of famous coaches in action, dads will find a wealth of inspiration in these pages.
WHAT NEW DADS WILL LEARN FROM THIS BOOK: Besides a slew of awesome quotes from legends in their respective fields, the book is filled with insight from the author, Tom Limbert.
Limbert is a Parent Educator and Preschool Director who has been working with families of young children since 1992.
He lives in Northern California and can be found online at parentcoachtom.com.
BUY NOW
The Dad’s Playbook To Labor & Birth
The Dads Playbook to Labor and Birth is a basic guide for the man who wants to help his partner in labor but who doesn’t want to study obstetrics or question a doctor’s advice, and who may even feel uncomfortable about witnessing a healthy birth.
The book is written in a simple, straightforward manner and assumes that the reader is male and that the birth is taking place in a hospital–and that the mom will probably want an epidural.
The book’s tone is lighthearted and quite humorous.
The chapters are arranged chronologically, from late pregnancy through the early postpartum period.
WHAT NEW DADS WILL LEARN FROM THIS BOOK: Among other things, this book for new dads offers advice on understanding a woman’s needs by analyzing her personality and tips for the dad who is prone to fainting or nausea.
BUY NOW
There are approximately 3,712 ways for a guy to look stupid during pregnancy – this book’s here to help you avoid all (most) of them.
And here’s your first hint: Focus on what you can be doing for her rather than what’s happening to her.
She’s pregnant. She knows that. You know that. And her 152 baby books tell her exactly what she can expect.
Your job is to learn what you can do between the stick turning blue and the drive to the delivery room to make the next nine months go as smoothly as possible.
That’s where John Pfeiffer steps in.
Like any good coach, he’s been through it. He’s dealt with the morning sickness and doctor visits, painting the baby’s nursery and packing the overnight bag, choosing a name, hospital, and the color of the car seat cover.
All the while, he remained positive and responsive – there with a “You’re beautiful” when necessary – but assertive during the decision-making process (he didn’t want to wind up with a kid named Percy).
And now it’s your turn.
WHAT NEW DADS WILL LEARN FROM THIS BOOK: She might be having the baby, but you have plenty of responsibilities.
Pfeiffer is the perfect person to give advice. He’s a married father of three.
With a stepdaughter, a naturally conceived daughter, and a baby by way of a threesome (with an IVF specialist), Pfeiffer is uniquely qualified to take expectant dads through pregnancy’s home stretch.
BUY NOW
The Expectant Father: The Ultimate Guide for Dads-to-Be
In addition to sharing the wisdom of the ages, Armin A. Brott, Mr. Dad, presents new insight into the emotional, financial, and physical effects of impending parenthood on men.
This information-packed, month-by-month guide incorporates the expertise of top practitioners in their fields, from obstetricians and birth-class instructors to psychologists and sociologists.
It also draws from Brott’s own experience as a father of three and the real-world experiences of the thousands of dads interviewed for the book.
Thanks to this handy reference, moms-to-be will know their partner understands and supports them during this anxious and exciting time, and that he has all the tools he needs to be a fantastic, hands-on dad.
WHAT NEW DADS WILL LEARN FROM THIS BOOK: The twentieth-anniversary edition of this thoroughly updated and revised parenting classic remains the most informative and reassuring book for expectant fathers everywhere.
BUY NOW
Best Books For New Dads (cont.)
The New Dad’s Survival Guide: Man-to-Man Advice for First-Time Fathers
I might have written the stay-at-home dad survival guide, but this book goes above and beyond to help EVERY dad.
Finally, a book for dads-to-be that deciphers the immensely confusing world of fatherhood and gives crucial tips and advice from a man’s point of view.
No psychobabble, no warm fuzzies-just a hilarious (and surprisingly practical) military-style guide to surviving and thriving through even the queasiest moments of pregnancy, birth, and babyhood.
Seasoned father and master infant tamer Scott Mactavish breaks the Baby Code down and lays it out in straight-up guy speak.
WHAT NEW DADS WILL LEARN FROM THIS BOOK: FATHERHOOD DEMYSTIFIED! A new dad will learn damn near everything!
BUY NOW
Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!
The advice that dads traditionally give is so commonplace.
The advice seems almost cliche: go to school and do well. Save your money. Work hard, and financial rewards will follow.
What would you say upon learning that dear old Dad was dead wrong?
In his explosive financial manuals, Robert T. Kiyosaki suggests that perhaps you shouldn’t have taken Dad’s advice, encouraging a new look at an old financial mindset.
The subtitle of “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” says it all: “What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!”
Contending that the wealthy have learned to make money work for them rather than toiling for the almighty dollar, Kiyosaki reveals the secrets to success his way.
WHAT NEW DADS WILL LEARN FROM THIS BOOK: In this excellent book for new dads, readers will learn that high income isn’t necessary to become rich, they’ll learn that they can’t rely on the school system to properly teach kids about money and explains what parents, and kids, need to do to achieve long-lasting financial success.
BUY NOW
Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook For New Dads
An indispensable survival manual for guys entering the trenches of fatherhood, Be Prepared is loaded with one-of-a-kind insights, MacGyver-esque tips and tricks, and no-nonsense advice for mastering the first year as a dad.
WHAT NEW DADS WILL LEARN FROM THIS BOOK: Packed with helpful diagrams and detailed instructions and delivered with a wry sense of humor, “Be Prepared” is the ultimate guide for sleep-deprived, applesauce-covered fathers everywhere.
New dads will learn how to change a baby at a packed sports arena, how to create a decoy drawer full of old wallets, remote controls, and cell phones to throw a baby off the scent of your real gear, and how to stay awake (or at least stand up straight) at work.
BUY NOW
From Dude to Dad: The Diaper Dude Guide to Pregnancy
Dude, relax; you’re going to be okay. But it wouldn’t hurt to get a few pointers on a road map of what lies ahead. That’s what this book is for.
“From Dude to Dad” gives you the need-to-know essentials on pregnancy, birthing, and parenthood, and how it’s okay to be scared out of your mind.
Be prepared for the arrival that will ultimately change your life in the best way possible.
WHAT NEW DADS WILL LEARN FROM THIS BOOK: Expectant fathers and new dads will learn what the expecting mom is going through during each trimester, how you can be the best partner and dad-to-be, and how to immediately bond with the baby.
BUY NOW
What to Expect When Your Wife Is Expanding
The third edition of one of the best books for new dads, “What to Expect When Your Wife Is Expanding,” is now thoroughly revised and updated, but it’s still packed with information, advice, and attitude distinctively for guys.
Originally conceived as a parody and just something funny and helpful for the expectant man, the book is now a classic gift, passed knowingly from one generation of first-time papas to the next.
With this lighthearted, month-by-month instruction manual on the care and nurture of a pregnant wife, the primary role of an expectant dad, she’ll handle all the critical milestones and topics: what not to say during the three phases of labor; what to buy, how many, and when; maintaining work-life balance; maintaining work-life-wife balance.
WHAT NEW DADS WILL LEARN FROM THIS BOOK: In this humorous take on the popular book, “What To Expect When Your Wife Is Expecting”, new dads will learn how to handle all the critical milestones and topics, what not to say during the three phases of labor, what to buy, how many, and when, maintaining work-life balance and maintaining work-life-wife balance.
BUY NOW
Man vs. Child: One Dads Guide to the Weirdness of Parenting
Not many authors can say they’ve written one of Amy Poehler’s favorite parenting books, but Doug Moe can add that to his already impressive professional resume.
“Man vs. Child” is a funny, fresh take on the parenting guide, written from the dad’s perspective.
Author and popular Upright Citizens Brigade performer Doug Moe knows first-time fathers are as worried about being terrible at their new terrifying jobs as new moms are.
But while most modern fathering guides center on men’s oafish parental failings, “Man vs. Child” forgoes condescension in favor of fresh and irreverent wit.
WHAT NEW DADS WILL LEARN FROM THIS BOOK:
From caring for a newborn to dealing with a kid on the verge of adolescence, author Doug Moe breaks fatherhood down into survival lessons like “Time to Decide About God” and quizzes that ask dads to reflect on hilarious parenting questions like “Is My Child Too Annoying for This Restaurant?”
BUY NOW
Joe Grutzik has worn many hats in his sixty years of life, but no hat is more important than which pulled him from the life of a ski bum, racing yacht crew, international vagabond, engineer, and project manager.
All these experiences afforded him a great, fun-filled, sometimes challenging life, but life as husband to the most wonderful woman on the planet and father to two superhero children is the one that brings him the most joy.
He has since parlayed his varied experiences from inside and outside his home life into a writing career, where he inspires others to do and be better. His latest book, “How to Raise a Superhero” is his third book with more books planned.
WHAT NEW DADS WILL LEARN FROM THIS BOOK:
- Raise emotionally secure children,
- Grow kids that teach themselves how to be smart
- Raise children with a foundation of personal responsibility and self-reliance
- Spark your kid’s curiosity and teach them to leverage their best talents
- Raise children that are empathetic and physically secure
- Raise coachable kids and empower them with generational wisdom
- Raise children that beam physical tranquility with poise and confidence
- Raise powerful, courageous kids who are resilient in the face of disappointment
- Grow children that make significantly and consistently better decisions
- Remove the violence of rivalry so that your children grow up to be best friends
- Place your children on a path toward success so that they will have their greatest life, and find purpose and meaning in your life.
BUY NOW
The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives
A few years ago, Bill Stixrud and Ned Johnson started noticing the same problem from different angles: Even high-performing kids were coming to them acutely stressed and lacking motivation.
Many complained they had no control over their lives. Some stumbled in high school or hit college and unraveled. Bill is a clinical neuropsychologist who helps kids gripped by anxiety or struggling to learn. Ned is a motivational coach who runs an elite tutoring service.
Together they discovered that the best antidote to stress is to give kids more of a sense of control over their lives. But this doesn’t mean giving up your authority as a parent. In this groundbreaking book they reveal how you can actively help your child to sculpt a brain that is resilient, and ready to take on new challenges.
WHAT NEW DADS WILL LEARN FROM THIS BOOK:
The Self-Driven Child offers a combination of cutting-edge brain science, the latest discoveries in behavioral therapy, and case studies drawn from the thousands of kids and teens Bill and Ned have helped over the years to teach you how to set your child on the real road to success.
As parents, we can only drive our kids so far. At some point, they will have to take the wheel and map out their own path.
But there is a lot you can do before then to help them tackle the road ahead with resilience and imagination.
BUY NOW
Watch Your Junk and Other Advice for Expectant Fathers
Benjamin Wallace is the bestselling author of Post-Apocalyptic Nomadic Warriors, Junkers, the Dad vs. series and other nonsense.
He lives in Dallas, Texas where he complains about the heat. A lot.
His parenting book – “Watch Your Junk and other Advice for Expectant Fathers” – tackles the subjects that other baby books ignore.
WHAT NEW DADS WILL LEARN FROM THIS BOOK:
– Why dads shouldn’t touch the wand in the sonogram room
– The exact moment your opinion no longer counts
– How friends and family will respond to the news
– How TV and baby classes have lied to us
– Which poop jokes to expect in the delivery room
– How to convert diapers into usable guilt
– How to ensure your child says your name first
And much, much more
“Watch Your Junk” includes a special twin version of fatherhood in the event that you are so much a man that you knocked up your wife twice at the same time.
BUY NOW
While primarily targeted at birth partners, including dads, this comprehensive guide provides valuable information on childbirth and how to support the mother.
BUY NOW
Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know
Although this book is focused on raising daughters, it offers insights into the unique role fathers play in their daughters’ lives.
BUY NOW
The 5 Love Languages of Children: The Secret to Loving Children Effectively
While not specifically for dads, understanding the love languages can help fathers build strong connections with their children.
BUY NOW
Before purchasing, it’s always a good idea to check for the latest reviews and recommendations to ensure the content aligns with your preferences and needs.
****
Thanks for reading! If you like this article, please take a second to like, comment, or share this with friends or random strangers. If you’re new to the website, please take a second to follow me on INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK, FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or TUMBLR.
0 comments on “19 Best Books For New Dads In 2024”