On My Papa’s Shoulders
On My Papa's Shoulders
Picture book / South Africa / Ages 3-8
Catalyst Press
May 18, 2022
"From award winning children's writer Niki Daly, author and illustrator of the Lolo early reader series 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." Publisher
The urban setting for this lovely picture book is not stated. It’s a big city with skyscrapers, highways as well as leafy streets with comfortable houses. The weather is warm but sometimes turns cold and rainy, prompting the characters to wear heavy coats, scarves and boots. The terms for family members, Gogo for Grandmother, Tata for Grandfather and cars with steering wheels on the right suggest South Africa, perhaps Cape Town, hometown of Niki Daly, the well-known author-illustrator of the book.
The main character is a young school-age boy (5 or 6 perhaps). He lives in an extended family which includes Gogo and Tata. Papa works in construction (given his hardhat). We don’t know Mama’s occupation but when she drops her son off at school she is wearing office-work attire. The adults in the family take turns walking the boy to school. The children and teachers in the boy’s well-resourced school are black and white.
The simple plot revolves around the different ways the adults in the family interact with the boy on the way to school. Mom is in a hurry walking “quickly along the busy road.” Gogo chooses to walk along a quiet tree-lined street. She allows stops to feed a stray cat. She chats with her grandson about school friends and dispenses advice on relationship building, “We must hold our friends gently in both hands.” Tata also walks slowly, stopping to rest on a bench. He entertains his grandson with his favorite song, “Don’t Worry Be Happy.” The best walker, however, is Papa – strong, tall and loving. He lifts his son on his shoulders so he “can see the whole world.”
A sweet story that provides a look at middle-class life in an urban South African setting.
Brenda Randolph and Lesego Malepe
Published in Africa Access Review (March 23, 2023)
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