On My Papa's Shoulders

Humorous, tender and captivating, this is a joyful celebration of the bond between a father and son


"When Papa lifts me onto his shoulders I can see the whole world."

One little boy in South Africa has just started school. When Mama takes him, they hurry along – but there’s always time for a kiss at the school gate. When Gogo takes him they go slow and feed the hungry cat on the way. When it’s Tata’s turn they walk through the park and splash in puddles. But the best days of all are when Papa takes him to school, lifts him high on his shoulders and tells him, "I love you." A heart-warming celebration of family and fathers, with beautiful, atmospheric paintings portraying the everyday life of a loving extended family.

"We recommend it for reading at home and sharing at school too. It is a quite exceptional picture book."

"This gorgeous, gently humorous book truly does celebrate that father/son bond, but it also celebrates the bond between the boy and the various other members of his family – each one offering something different.

One I’d strongly recommend adding to foundation stage collections and to family bookshelves, especially if there’s a child around the school starting age. Why not start by sharing it on Father’s Day this June."

"The illustrations are eye-catching, with a warmth of character detail and a thought-provoking sense of space and perspective. It places younger readers aged 4-7 in the middle of this boy’s life, family and world. A celebration of the bond between fathers and sons, this is a great book to read and share."

"A beautifully written book with outstanding illustrations...this book will be read and reread many times and will be a firm favourite for all young children on their journeys to school across the world. A great book for home, nursery and library."

"This story will have wide appeal and may prompt conversations in KS1 classrooms about journeys to school and daily routines. The text is concise and clear (which helps when reading aloud); the ink-and-watercolour illustrations lively and sensitive."

"This picture book belongs in every EYFS and KS1 classroom as it celebrates the bonds between family members within the context of a daily routine every child can relate to. The ink and watercolour illustrations with careful use of primary colours can be pored over as details are noticed and conversations started."

"Shines a light on loving family relationships during a boy’s daily walks to school, which predictably vary depending on whether Mama, Gogo, Tata, or Papa is accompanying him. The mix of shorter and longer sentences and phrasing creates a wonderful narrative pace that is judiciously adjusted across the story to subtly mirror qualities of each walk."

"This is an endearing and heartfelt picture book which celebrates the connection between father and sons, but also the unique bonds that can exist with different family members. The expressive watercolour illustrations and simple, lyrical text capture the specialness that can be found in everyday moments and routines.

This is a brilliant book for snuggling down and sharing at home and the backdrop of the daily routine makes it perfect for sharing with children who have just started school."

Niki Daly has been celebrated as a writer on multiracial, diverse and inclusive themes ever since the 1980s when Not So Fast, Songololo broke through South Africa's apartheid barriers to celebrate black lives. Niki was South Africa‘s nominee for the Astrid Lindgren Award in 2020, and previous honours include ALA and IBBY Awards and nomination for the Hans Christian Andersen Award. He is married to fellow-author and illustrator Jude Daly, and they live in Kleinmond, South Africa.

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