A searchable database of books recommended by the CCBC.
More information about CCBC Choices book recommendations
On My Papa's Shoulders
CCBC Review:
A boy describes how his city walks to school with various family members—Mama, Gogo, Tata, and Papa—are predictably different with each adult. Mama walks quickly and gives a goodbye kiss; Gogo prefers the quiet route and doesn’t hurry, allowing time for an encounter with a stray cat; and Tata uses shortcuts and prefers a parting hug to holding hands. But the best school walks are on Papa’s shoulders, where the boy is “high as a cloud and can see the whole world.” Loving relationships shine in the routine of a common daily activity. The mix of shorter and longer sentences and phrasing creates a wonderful narrative pace that is judiciously adjusted across the story to subtly mirror the qualities of each walk. Although no setting is named, this Black family appears to live in South Africa. Honor Book, 2023 Charlotte Zolotow Award ©2022 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Illustrated by Niki Daly
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 3-6
Age Range:
Babies/Toddlers (birth – 3)
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Format:
Picture book
Subjects:
Difference/Individuality
Families
Fathers
Grandfathers
Grandmothers
Mothers
Routines
South Africans
Diversity subject:
Black/African
On CCBC Booklist:
Charlotte Zolotow Award (for Outstanding Writing in Picture Books)
Publisher:
Catalyst
Publish Year: 2022
Pages: 32
ISBN: 9781946395689
CCBC Location: Picture Book, Daly