On My Papa's Shoulders

By Niki Daly

Niki Daly is a beloved illustrator and author from South Africa known for his exuberant illustrations and stories that speak to the heart of childhood. He's well-known in the industry to booksellers, librarians, teachers, and trade industry professionals and has won many awards for his work. This book, the fifth Niki Daly book to be released by Catalyst Press to the North American market, features a young South African boy and the many adventures he experiences with his family on the way to school. The unnamed boy is kind-hearted, full of joy, and always excited for the school day and to spend time with his family. In On My Papa’s Shoulders, young readers will be exposed to relatable family relationships in a unique, culturally-educational context, experienced by a young Black narrator in South Africa. Although a sweet tribute to the important roles each family member plays in a child’s upbringing, On My Papa’s Shoulders is a special celebration of fatherhood, which is still underrepresented in children’s literature--published in time to be a perfect Father's Day gift.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Catalyst Press
• Release date: Dec 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9781946395726

Niki Daly

Niki Daly has won many awards for his work. His groundbreaking Not So Fast Songololo, winner of a US Parent’s Choice Award, paved the way for post-apartheid South African children’s books. Among his many books, Once Upon a Time was an Honor Winner in the US Children’s Africana Book Awards and Jamela’s Dress was chosen by the ALA as a Notable Children’s Book and by Booklist as one of the Top 10 African American Picture Books of 2000. It also won both the Children’s Literature Choice Award and the Parents' Choice Silver Award. Niki lives with his wife, the author and illustrator Jude Daly, in South Africa.

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