On My Papa's Shoulders

by Niki Daly

From award winning children’s writer Niki Daly, author and illustrator of the Lolo early reader series

This little boy loves walking to school with his family, but the best days are when he walks with his dad, who lifts his son onto his shoulders and always says goodbye with a special “I love you”.

Whether it’s jumping in puddles with Tata in the rain, greeting the neighborhood cat on the quiet back streets with Gogo, or holding hands with Mama while rushing to make the bell, walking to school with family is the best. But nothing is better than walking to school with Papa. From high above, resting on Papa's shoulders, all of the town is in perfect view, and Papa always says “I love you” when he says goodbye. A sweet ode to fatherhood and the special relationships children share with each member of their family, On My Papa’s Shoulders reminds us that it’s not about where we’re going, but rather the people who walk with us along the way.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, School, Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Fiction, Cultural

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 18, 2022

About the author

Nicholas "Niki" Daly, South African illustrator and children's book author.

http://www.childlit.org.za/ndaly.html

Reviews

[Tonja Drecker]

Family love comes across as a big, warm hug and leaves a smile.

Every morning this little boy walks to school, and usually it's with his mother, but some days, his Tata or Gogo accompany him (grandparents). On very special days, he gets to ride to school on is Papa's shoulders, and those are the most wonderful of all.

This is actually a very basic story about a very common activity: walking to school. But the author has brought it across with such care that the simplicity disappears, leaving familiar experiences and tons of good feelings. Each of the four family members takes their turn walking the boy to school, and each one holds a different atmosphere and experience. While there are different things they meet along the way (a cat, rain puddles, etc), it's the personality of the various people, which shines through and shows how each one is very special and important in their own way.

The illustrations are done in watercolor and carry a lighter flair. They don't sink in details, but then, hold more than enough for each scene to pull in. They allow the characters to hold their own appearances and give everything a natural appeal. It's hard not to smile as the boy meets his friends, grabs a hand, or walks along side each person.

It's amazing how something so simple can still grab in, and I believe it's the sense of familiarity, security, and warmth that does this. Even those readers, who don't walk to school, will recognize the situations of accompanying their family members somewhere and remember walking along side them. The differences are subtle between each person and, yet, obvious. None are less important than the other...except for the father, but that's due to the rarity. It's a special bond and nod to fathers, especially with the wonderful hints of the boy's attitude to his father on the last pages.

This is a read to cuddle up with and enjoy, and one that many readers will identify with. It definitely leaves a smile on the face. I received a DRC through the publisher and found this one so gentle and heartwarming. I was going to give it 4 stars but decided that anything that can leave that much happiness and smiles (and is well done) deserves the full 5.

[Teresa Aamira Rollins]

“On My Papa’s Shoulders by author Niki Daily!
Published by Catalyst Press

This book was gifted to me as a copy to review via #Read Your World for Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2023.

I loved this book! The bright colors, the everyday human activities of walking to school with different family members, and each walk had its unique adventures as experienced through the eyes of a child. What was memorable the child always had a different family member who walked him to a school maintained the generational ties, and supported his quest to get an education. He also received an education by walking with different family members and seeing different things along the way and learned how to relate to each experience with the guidance of family!

His best experience was walking with Dad who held him high on his shoulders allowing him to see the world from a very different perspective as he was excited about this as well as being able to spend quality time with dad! Dad also was giving him an education in seeing the world from a different vantage point as well as supporting his son's endeavor to get an education in his school.

The pictures of African/Black people in traditional dress encouraged one to learn that people from every race and culture yearn to educate their children, maintain family ties, and live life in a dignified way.

I was particularly drawn to this book as I have relatives from South Africa and understood the themes presented.

Thank you for this beautiful reminder!

[Kamaria Simmons]

The title alone makes me smile and the cover visual warms my heart. This book is about family, relationships, and love. The little one shares how various family members walks him to school and how each experience is different from the rest. His favorite experience is when his papa walks him to school. I noticed that when he and his father head to school, he is actually being carried, providing him with a different perspective and view of the world around him. I really enjoyed reading how each of his walking to school experiences with a different family member was different from the other. It is a lovely reminder of how we gain a new insight into life based on the experiences shared with our loved ones.

[LaShonda Lewis]

Here comes a sweet, and loving rendition to having memoirs and what they mean to us and to others.
In the book, nothing is better than walking to school with your Papa high above, resting on your Papa's shoulders, sitting on the shoulders of your favorite person the world looks small from his shoulders and the town is in perfect view to see everything far and above when he and his Papa are walking. A sweet memory to fatherhood and the special relationships children forms with each member of their family, On My Papa’s Shoulders reminds me that it’s not about where we’re going, but rather the people who walk with us along the way, being blood or not. Cherish the moments.

[Theediscerning]

Warming and reassuring it might be, but this look at a kid going to school might not really spark much interest in the young. Older people will see things in how the child reacts differently, depending on which family member is walking him and which route they're taking, but the young reader will like as not see this as nothing more than a pleasant look at a nice, stable family – with the prestige of sitting on dad's shoulders on the way to getting dropped off by far the best.

[Julia Sell]

This book is about a little boy going to school by different people. His mom, Gogo, Tata, and Papa. The boy explains how different each trip to school is depending on the person. The days he loves the best is when he is with his papa. Papa lets him go on his shoulders so he can see better. This book is good for students to realize that it is okay to have different family members take them to school.

[Adena Rugola]

This story is about the ways that the young boy, the main character gets to school. We learn that every goodbye is different and every walk id different but he sure does have a favorite. His Papa’s way is the best because of the new way he sees the world. Hit makes him feel like he’s big and tall. A child would love this story because the character could be similar to themselves, and they could feel alike.

[Isabella Allison]

This story is another of my favorites I picked. The true meaning of this story is family and family is extremely important to me. I also picked it due to it being a child and father on the cover. I lost mine therefore this story resonates with me. The little boy loves his family and spending time with them. Family is important to have and be surrounded by love not everyone experiences but deserve to.

[Alice]

4 stars for this tender book about a boy walking to school with various family members, Mama, Gogo, Tata, and Papa. Each has their own speed but there is no mistaking the love shared at the end of each walk to school (and throughout the boy's life)

I reviewed a digital copy of this book from the publisher

[Julia Szenborn]

This is such a heartwarming story. It is a cute story about family and the love they bring into our lives. The young boy in the story shares his love for his family as they each walk him to school, but his favorite days are when his papa walks him. I loved reading this story because family is so sentimental to me.

[Isabella Michelini]

This story is so heartwarming, a young boy loves his grandpa and looks up to him. He loves being on his shoulders and seeing things from a different view. Papa makes sure his grandson knows that he loves him. He has many people in his family who love him and bring him where he needs to go. Mama, Tata, and Togo. He loves his family and has a special routine with each person, it is very sweet.

[Marcia]

A lovely story promoting close family ties and the comfort they bring to children. The words are lyrical and the illustrations are gorgeous. One of my favorite spreads is when the boy's grandmother walks him to school along the quiet road. I also love when the boy runs ahead of his grandfather and then peeks back at him, knowing he is safe and loved.

[Isabella Canterino]

The book "On MY Papa's Shoulders" by Niki Daly is a heartwarming and very well-illustrated story about a special bond between a young child and their father. Through vibrant illustrations, Daly captures the love, protection, and wisdom shared between generations. This story celebrates family and the joy of togetherness making this a great story for all.

[Beth]

I really enjoyed the story about a young boy who talks about all his family members who sometimes walk him to school. But since so little time is spent with his papa walking him to school, the title feels like a miss for the story.

[Olivia Luzitano]

This is such a cute book and would be great to read to children around father's day. This book shows a boys love for his family and the love for his different relationship with every member, however, it also shows that there's no one he idolizes more than his father.

[Allison Winger]

I thought this was a cute story. I think it would be a great read aloud for Father's Day in my classroom. It shows the love this boy has for everyone in his family, but how he especially loves the time he spends with his dad.

[Bonnie Missos]

This book tells the story of all the different relationships a young boy has. I like how this book shows how different adults love differently. I think that it can teach children that just because they all show love differently doesn't mean that they don't love you.

[Jessica]

This was a neat one! Sometimes the boy's mother takes him to school, and sometimes his grandmother or grandfather, or sometimes his father. What a blessing to have so many loving family members in his life! Very nice illustrations as well.

[Alex Olson]

I think this was a warm and cute story. It captures the feeling of safety, pride, and joy that comes from a child's bond with their father. The illustrations were very soft and flowed nicely together.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Alisa]

Straightforward story of a child's walk to school with different family members. Evocative illustrations that draw you in and convey character and movement.

[Dawn Foster]

A perfect story!! The writing, the illustrations the subtle use of word play, and the theme!!! A great title for classrooms looking for diversity in storytelling & authorship.

[SamSamSam]

So lovely. Great for comparison making!

[Tompkins County Public Library Youth Services]

Kai’s Thoughts: I was impressed by how the author can make a story about the simple daily routine of going to school with different family members so full of fun. Great stories come from real lives.

[Maria Brandt-Madsen]

Skildrer en drengs forskellige forhold til mennesker i hans liv, på turen til skole. Fine illustrationer. Det er tydeligt at det er oversat børnelitteratur, både i tekst og billeder.

[Kris]

Charlotte Zolotow honor 2023
Quiet picture book with a strong positive family theme. Great for Father's Day, or anytime.

[Ester]

Mysig berättelse från ett barns perspektiv.

[wildct2003]

Really nice book

[𓆩♡𓆪]

I was today years old när jag fick reda på att Niki Daly är en vit sydafrikansk gubbe xD

[Claire Bailey]

Really like this book, the son is the narrator tlaking about each of the people in his life who take him to school but ultimately he enjoys his father taking him the most