Merdaddy: A Gentle Bathtime and Bedtime Picture Book About Ocean Imagination for Kids

by Wednesday Kirwan

An ode to parent-child bonding, imagination, the ocean, and bath time! Perfectly pitched for even the youngest readers, Merdaddy is a sweet young picture book with a gentle, genuinely surprising twist that will charm fans of Oona and Julián Is a Mermaid . Deep down under the sea live Merbaby and Merdaddy. They talk to the fish, have seaweed picnics, float with the jellyfish, hide with the otters, surf with the turtles, and save any hapless sailors who need help. The water is the best place Merbaby can imagine being . . . until Merdaddy says their fingers look like raisins and their teeth are chattering. With bright watercolor-and-collage illustrations and a wonderful read-aloud text, Wednesday Kirwan dives into the vivid, sea-themed imagination of a young child. The gentle surprise—we’ve been playing in the bathtub all along!—will delight young children and their parents alike. Merdaddy is destined to become a classic bedtime book for every home.

Genres: Picture Books, Mermaids, Juvenile, Childrens, Fiction, Family

40 pages, Hardcover

Published April 16, 2024

About the author

Wednesday Kirwan is a children's book illustrator, whose books include Henry's Bright Idea and Owl Love You. She lives in Oakland, California.

Reviews

[Aolund · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet imaginative bathtime book about a dad and baby loving the ocean, water, and being mer-people together.

Themes: Dad, Bathtime, Merpeople, Ocean/Water
Age range: Baby-Toddler

[Nicole Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.

Merbaby loves her Merdaddy, as they play and explore the ocean. This cute book is all about how to play and take care of your child, with a sweet surprise at the end. And I also love that the illustrations are in watercolor, very fitting for the subject matter. A sweet picture book all about a father bonding with their child, perfect for Father’s Day.

[Jared White · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read a couple of books with merboys but I don't think I've ever seen one about a merdad! :) Spoiler ahead! (but it's a picture book and you'll find out fairly soon anyway) I thought it was neat that it was all the child's imagination and that the whole time they were just having a bath and the dad was playing along.

I think this would be a great getting-ready-for-bed book.

[SOYAMRG · Rating 4 out of 5]

This delightful bath time story whisks dad and baby away on an undersea adventure.

Together, they transform into playful mer-people, embracing the joy of the ocean and the wonders of water. It's a heartwarming tale that sparks a child's imagination and makes bath time a splashing good time!

M.R.
School Librarian

[Steph]

Turn/Level: B(1)/2.5

Father/Child, Bathtime, Oceans

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a super cute, imaginative bath time book, and the illustrations are wonderful.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our family LOVES this book!

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

A playful bath time and bedtime routine between a child and their father. Cut-paper collage fills the pages with vibrancy.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cut paper collages against a watercolor background enhance this simple bedtime story.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this picture book! What a sweet way to celebrate the bound between a merbaby and their dad.

[Bookishrealm · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick and short one that would work for toddlers! The relationship between the main character and their father was adorable. The ending was slightly unexpected and I enjoyed the twist.

[Nichole Gottsacker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reads like it was written by a child.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet book with big, lovely illustrations. Will try for storytime!

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Those pictures!!!!!!!

[Katy Tanis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joyous bathtime book highlighting a daughter's adoration for her father. A perfect gift for new dads. The illustrations are stunners.