I still remember the first time my wife told me we were expecting. I had been through plenty of “big moments” before, stepping into a banking career, playing cricket in packed grounds, even my first time on stage in front of a theater audience. But nothing compared to that three-second pause between “I’m…” and “pregnant.” Suddenly, I was a mix of excitement, panic, pride, and, if I’m honest, cluelessness. That’s when I learned that books weren’t just for my son (the bookworm of the family), they could be lifelines for dads like me, too.
So, if you’re about to step into the whirlwind of fatherhood, here are some books that not only guided me but made me laugh, reflect, and sometimes cry when I least expected it.
5 Must-Read Books for Expecting Dads
1. The Expectant Father by Armin Brott
If there’s a “playbook” for dads-to-be, this one comes closest. Armin Brott breaks down pregnancy month by month, not just what’s happening with mom and baby, but also what’s happening with you. I loved how it didn’t just push me to be supportive, but also gave me permission to acknowledge my own emotions during the process.
Reading it reminded me of my cricket days, when you think you’re just cheering from the sidelines, but in reality, you’re part of every play. That’s what fatherhood feels like: you’re not a spectator, you’re in the game. My favorite part was how the book normalized those “what if I mess this up?” thoughts. Spoiler: you will mess up sometimes, but it’s part of the story.
2. We’re Pregnant! The First Time Dad’s Pregnancy Handbook by Adrian Kulp
This one’s like having a witty older brother who’s been through it all. Adrian Kulp speaks directly to dads, and instead of overwhelming you with technical details, he delivers what you need, clear weekly breakdowns, questions you should be asking, and a nudge to actually pay attention during doctor visits.
What hooked me was how approachable it felt. As someone who has a soft spot for storytelling from my theater days, I appreciated the conversational tone. It didn’t feel like homework, it felt like a chat over coffee (or in my case, late-night tea while Googling “is this normal at 16 weeks?”). This book is perfect if you want practical advice without drowning in medical jargon.
3. Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads by Gary Greenberg & Jeannie Hayden
This book is pure dad-energy. Equal parts humor and survival guide, it’s packed with tricks you’d never think of, like how to change a diaper in a stadium or babyproof a hotel room in minutes. It’s less about “deep psychology” and more about “here’s how to not completely fall apart when you’re holding a screaming newborn.”
Honestly, it reminded me of sports locker rooms, where half the advice you get is ridiculous but weirdly works. When my first daughter was born, I laughed through the sleep-deprived haze remembering some of the MacGyver-style hacks from this book. It’s the kind of guide you gift your friend who says, “I’m not a reader,” but ends up chuckling through it anyway.
4.The Intentional Father by Jon Tyson
This one hits on something deeper, raising sons with courage, integrity, and values in a world that often feels like it’s spinning off-axis. It’s not just about pregnancy; it’s about long-term fatherhood. Tyson talks about rites of passage and creating meaningful “marking moments” with your kids.
For me, this book stirred up memories of my own dad and the lessons he left me. It also made me think about how I guide my teenage son today. As a father, I want him to see more than just rules and lectures, I want him to see a man who tried to live with intention. This book isn’t light reading, but it’s one you’ll keep revisiting as your kids grow.
5. You Will Rock as a Dad! by Alexis Edwards
This is the pep talk every nervous dad-to-be secretly wants. It’s casual, funny, and full of those “I had no idea” facts about pregnancy and babies. Even if you’re not a big reader, this one feels like chatting with a friend who’s been there.
I found myself grinning at its reassuring tone. As someone who’s often juggling a million things, work, kids, the occasional movie binge, I appreciated how straightforward it was. Sometimes, what you need most is someone saying, “Relax, you’re going to be fine.” And honestly, I think that’s the secret sauce of this book, it calms the chaos before the chaos even begins.
Sleepless Nights, Shared Laughs, and Small Victories
Fatherhood doesn’t come with a neat manual. These books helped, yes, but what really stuck with me were the little moments. Like staying up at 2 a.m. with my toddler and realizing I’d memorized every word of her favorite storybook. Or the quiet rides home after cricket matches, when my son would ask me about life in ways no book could script.
Reading these guides gave me tools, but living through fatherhood gave me perspective. The books reminded me to laugh when things felt overwhelming, to be intentional when I felt lost, and to stay present even when the world (and the baby monitor) wouldn’t stop buzzing.
Final Thoughts
If you’re an expecting dad, don’t wait until the delivery room to start figuring things out. These books won’t make you perfect, nothing will, but they’ll prepare you to be present, supportive, and, yes, even a little funny when it matters most.
So, grab a copy, dog-ear the pages, and let me know, what book helped you most when stepping into fatherhood?
Know Your Author
Hi, I’m Emon
I’m the voice and heart behind Whimsy Read. After nine years in the world of banking, I followed my passion for storytelling into the world of SEO and content strategy. Now, I blend that analytical eye with a deep love for literature to bring you book reviews that are thoughtful, honest, and always focused on the stories that stay with you.
When I’m not reading or writing, you’ll find me enjoying joyful chaos with my wife and three kids, getting lost in a new series, or revisiting my old loves: theater, music, and gaming. At the end of the day, I believe great books are meant to be shared, and I’m so glad you’re here to share them with me.
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