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Mon papa

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Mon papa n'est pas un super-héros, ni un astronaute ou un agent secret... pourtant, c'est LE meilleur papa du monde ! Et quand on est tous les deux, chaque moment devient une grande aventure.

32 pages, Paperback

Published June 2, 2021

73 people want to read

About the author

Susan Quinn

7 books1 follower
Susan Quinn was born in Manchester but has travelled the world by way of South Africa and Australia.
As a child her favourite place was Dymocks Bookstore in Sydney which was where her passion for books started.
After becoming a children’s librarian and returning to England, Susan had a number of plays and short stories published.
However, her dream was always to be a children’s writer and her first children’s book, Little Bear and the Butterflies, was published by QED in 2014.
Since then, she has had a further four titles published including the acclaimed My Dad.

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5 stars
45 (34%)
4 stars
62 (47%)
3 stars
20 (15%)
2 stars
4 (3%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
Profile Image for PattyMacDotComma.
1,803 reviews1,085 followers
August 3, 2021
4.5★
“My Dad has never been on a spaceship to a galaxy deep in space. Or been a secret agent . . . but my dad is

FANTASTIC!”


We see that Dad is not one of the men and women racing off to work in a business suit, which is just fine with this youngster!

Home-baked cookies - I can taste them now!

They work in the garden where we see lots of carrots, and then they hit the supermarket. I have to say, I’ve never tried this approach, although I agree it’s both boring and a jungle.

“Dad says shopping is BORING, but we never know who we’ll meet...
when we pretend we’re in the jungle, looking for tasty food to eat!”


Sometimes they are out and about, enjoying the weather, whatever it brings. They go to soccer practice and the beach when it’s fine, and go sledding down snowy hills in the winter.

“If it rains, we splash through puddles,
stomp through leaves of gold and red.
And gaze at a colorful rainbow,
high above my head.”


At the end of the day, Dad helps with the bath.

“Even when it’s bath time, Dad always makes me laugh. We imagine lots of pirate ships with billowing white masts.”

Note Dad's clever spyglass from a plastic drink bottle. I love the wash of waves across the room and the page. Next come bedtime stories and then it’s time to be tucked into bed.

“I love the time I spend with Dad—he’s the best a dad can be.
And every day is special when it’s just my Dad and me.”


This is a very attractive ode to fathers everywhere. I think it’s the illustrations that make the book. The text ranges from simple prose to partly-rhyming to traditional poetry.

Personally, I’m partial to poetry that is either rhythmic and reads smoothly or that bends the rules to an extreme that makes it fun, like Ogden Nash poems. If you’re not familiar with Ogden Nash’s poetry, do yourself a favour and google him. He was the best. One of his popular poems.

“Reflection on Babies
A bit of talcum
Is always walcum.


Sorry, I digressed! Thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing's words&pictures for the preview copy of this cute book. It would make a great gift for dads and kids and families of all kinds.
Profile Image for ⋆˚࿔ ashmita ࣪ ִֶָ☾..
238 reviews5 followers
April 16, 2021
At first, I thought that this was such a simple little book meant for just any other bedtime story, but this book blew my mind away. It made me nostalgic in the best way possible and for some lovely reason made me want to go and hug my father. Everything about this book is just wow~!
Every single day, we tend to overlook the miracle that is our fathers, and how much they sacrifice and how much they are responsible for many of our "happy childhood", and this feels like a perfect ode to them.
Writing style: 10/10
Graphics: 10/10
Concept: 10/10

If this doesn't convince you to give this book a read, I don't know what will. Heartbreakingly sweet and hauntingly beautiful, the pictures will make your childhood come alive and gift it to you on paper!
Profile Image for Amanda.
3,893 reviews44 followers
August 6, 2021
This dad doesn't rush around! This dad is fully THERE for his son and turns trips to the grocery store (which the dad thinks are boring) into an adventure! This dad bakes cookies and cakes, cheers for soccer games, goes sledding and is all around the BEST DAD. (This book could be subtitled "How to Be a Dad.")

The illustrations are warm and wonderful as well.
Profile Image for Mehsi.
15.5k reviews464 followers
April 23, 2021
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.


A book all about dads with a super adorable cover! Yes, really adorable and I am giving extra credit points because the front cover shows the boy peeking from behind the dad’s legs and the back cover you see the back of the boy and his father’s legs. I found that so cute!

In this heart-warming and gorgeously drawn book we learn about our MC’s dad. How he isn’t famous, how he isn’t an astronaut, but how everything he does is super and wonderful. From making mornings special to flying a kite to sledding down a hill during snow to imagination during bath time. This dad makes every day, every season something special and something warm for this little boy and I was just smiling so much while reading this one as it was just the cutest thing. I loved seeing the bond between the father and his son. I loved seeing how much fun they had together, even for something like going grocery shopping things become fun. I am all warm and fuzzy at the moment! Just what I wanted to feel as lately, with COVID/pandemic my body is just not too happy. This is perfect. Warming me up again!

The last picture… that was just such a wonderful way to end this book!

The illustrations were fantastic. Marina Ruiz has an amazing style that really fit with this warm and fuzzy book and enhances those warm and fuzzy feelings.

Highly recommended!

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Profile Image for Lysh.
460 reviews12 followers
April 20, 2021
*A free copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – words & pictures in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own*

This picture story book follows a young child on ordinary, every day adventures with their dad, listing and explaining the many reasons why they love him.

It is beautifully illustrated to fit the tone of the piece.

In terms of teaching content, this book could be used for elements of poetry as each stanza follows an ABCB rhyming pattern. It is very literal in the sense that there weren't any metaphors or similies, however this definitely works better for earlier readers. There are also references to the seasons and activities that they partake in at that time of year.

The diversity in this book is positive (though please note I am not an Own Voices reviewer). The child and their dad are illustrated as BIPOC, and the range of background characters also offer some diversity (wheelchair user, hijabi woman, BIPOC). The child could be any gender or sex as there are no direct references made to this and the activities that they partake in are not aligned to any gender stereotypes. It is just the child and their dad shown and the last line reads "and every day is special when it's just my dad and me!", suggesting that this dad is a single parent to an only child, a dynamic not often represented in literature.

Overall, I would recommend this as an addition to school libraries.
Profile Image for Paulina M..
575 reviews22 followers
March 29, 2021
I really enjoyed the concept of this story, quality time with a parent is always important. As most books tend to focus on cis female parents, I always appreciate stereotype-busting literature.

Marina Ruiz’s illustrations are so beautiful and I love how she captured the diversity of real life in her drawings. Susan Quinn’s story is equally amazing, the rhymes make it easy and exciting to read to children and for children to read it themselves, the examples of little things a parent does and how important it is for their children, are on point and attainable. Susan did a great job sharing that to be a hero to your child, being present in their lives is the best way.

I will for sure be adding this to my work library.

Thank you Quarto Publishing Group, Susan Quinn and NetGalley for an advanced copy of My Dad in exchange for an honest review.
#MyDad #NetGalley

4.66 stars
Profile Image for may ✨.
80 reviews36 followers
April 6, 2021
I was looking for something short, cute and positive and was not disappointed. This picture book was exactly what I needed.
The story is lovely, told in rhymes, and the art style is beautiful with soft pastel colors. The illustrations create a poetic world based on the very simple and genuine things that a kid does with their dad, showcasing subtle demonstrations of love and shared moments.

Honestly these pages are filled with love and I couldn’t have asked for more! I'd recommend this for children and families, and anyone who's looking for tenderness.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC!
Profile Image for Kate Henderson.
1,640 reviews52 followers
March 26, 2021
Really wanted to read this as I am hugely close with my dad, and I genuinely don't think there are enough kids books out there that focus on the role of the dad, or male role models. It's always the mum. This book really stands out!
The words rhyme - something I love in children's picture books. The words are incredibly sweet and heartfelt too. It was nice that 'dad' did a variety of tasks and not confirm to gender stereotypes.
The illustrations were lovely too. Soft colour palette, felt calm and cosy.

Really liked this book! There should be more books about male role models for children.
Profile Image for Andreea.
1,899 reviews65 followers
May 1, 2021
Disclaimer: I received this book for free in exchange of my honest opinion.

This was a cute book about a baby and their father, focusing on how dad can be awesome without being superheroes or astronauts, but just by being there. And I liked this a lot. A charming little book.

The book is solely about the relationship between the child and the dad, and that's all we get. There is no other context, not even a mention regarding the other parent and I think that was nice because it keeps the book open for more types of family.
Author 1 book93 followers
April 7, 2021
A dad does not have to be a superhero or an astronaut to be awesome; it is what is inside that matters most. In this story, a young boy shares his feelings about his dad, juxtaposing him against other dads he sees in the world. Though his dad is not super busy like some can be, he is important to this boy for everything he is. Whether baking cookies, tending the garden, or reading a bedtime story, the dad in this book is truly fantastic.

The design of this book is extremely approachable for young children. A limited amount of text appears on each page and it follows a comfortable rhyming pattern. Occasionally, the font is enlarged or changes shape to add to the visual appeal of the book as well. While the illustrations are the primary feature of the story, the text is placed as an intentional accent to the visuals.

From the first page, readers notice the watercolor design of the illustrations and the soft hues used to create them. Recognizable landscapes and backgrounds connect readers to the story, and inclusions of the little boy’s artwork add another familiar dynamic to the images. The dad and son in this story are depicted with dark skin and hair and appear in a community that varies in skin tone. Expressive faces and interactions build a sense of appreciation and love into the story that is mirrored in the text, as well.

This artfully crafted book is filled with emotion and emphasizes the good feelings that come from having a dad who is as attentive and supportive as the one featured in this story. It is a highly recommended addition to library collections for young children, especially to be read aloud in celebration of the fantastic dads in the world.
Profile Image for The Silvan Reverie | Sarah Street.
746 reviews55 followers
April 5, 2021
My Dad is a lovely and charming ode to the relationship between a child and father and how it's all the tiny, everyday things that make up the love bond between the two. The book begins, "My Dad has never been on a spaceship ... or been a secret agent, or won a Grand Prix race." And the rest of the narrative speaks to all the every day things that make this boy's Dad so special.

I think the illustrations here deserve a mention because they do such a lovely job depicting regular life but adding a touch of whimsy that is there if you just have the presence and imagination to look for it! The scene at the grocery store comes to mind, where the Dad suggests they turn something boring in to something fun by pretending they are in the jungle. Illustrated are tropical birds hanging out on stranger's carts and a sneaky monkey stealing from someone.

A great book for children that have a strong and positive relationship with their Dad; though, admittedly a book like this will leave some children out. I appreciate the gender-busting narrative, here, though. We don't even see a Mom or female caretaker in this book.

**Note: I was given a review copy of this book from Quarto Kids. Opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Mrs. Walker Reads.
59 reviews2 followers
March 29, 2021
Look no further for the perfect book that captures the genuine love that a boy has for his father.

'My Dad' is a stunning story celebrating the important role and influence that Dads have on their children. This book follows a young boy and his love and admiration for his father.

Is his father a secret agent? No. An astronaut? Nope. His Dad cleans the house, bakes "the best" cookies, tends to the garden and takes him along to the grocery store. In the eyes of a child, his Dad is FANTASTIC!

The gorgeous illustrations showcase the boy and his Dad enjoying a picnic, flying a kite and reading bedtime stories. So many readers will feel the love pouring from the pages about the enjoyable things they do together.

It is so refreshing to see a Dad being celebrated for the simple things that make them so special. I love everything about this book from the beautiful illustrations to the thoughtful words. Thank you so much to Quarto Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy.
Profile Image for Madison.
116 reviews3 followers
April 30, 2021
I am typically hesitant to buy books about parents, because every family looks so different and every parent behaves differently. I would actually buy this book, however, because it is so nice to see a book showing a father who is doing activities that are stereotyped as mom activities. This dad gardens, bakes, does the grocery shopping, bathes the child and reads a book at bedtime. There are also several pages showcasing all of the fun things they do together, like sledding and sports. To top it all off, the illustrations are beautiful and feature a father and son with more melanin in their skin, normalizing healthy father-son relationships in communities of color. There is an over abundance of media showing fatherless homes, neglectful or abusive fathers, and we need more media showing how great dads can be.
9,482 reviews135 followers
March 26, 2021
A very warm poem looking at the love of a boy for his father. It's clear it's a mummy-free household, but the two get on perfectly, what with baking magical things for breakfast, laying toy car track all over the furniture, and having 'us time' under the leaves of a tree at sundown on a day of seaside picnics. So no, no daring-do, no super-powers or secret second career as an astronaut – this father is heroic in the ways that matter. I wouldn't have thought the visuals were really loveable for a child reading this, but it's a great affirmative lesson in how just because some fathers might have wicked jobs, and just because classmates have live-in mummies, the best dad is still the one you have to love you. A strong four stars.
11 reviews
February 2, 2024
This book is about a young boy and the days he spends with his dad. His dad teaches him how to use his imagination, and even though his dad doesn't have an adventurous job, he teaches him to see adventure in everyday life.

I really liked this book. It made me happy seeing a father positively represented in media. This is a good book to show that families can look like many different things, even "just [a boy] and [his] dad." I also really liked the art style, and the way the illustrator mixed the real-life settings with fantastical ones.

In a school setting, I would use this book for generally any one-off story time that isn't leading into a unit. I would have the students draw pictures of them and their family.
Profile Image for Jan.
6,532 reviews99 followers
March 26, 2021
Fathers who love you are wonderful!
The story is about fathers who care and are appreciated by the child. It doesn't matter if it is a one parent home, a split custody home, or if this just shows the time spent with dad on his days off. Or maybe the dad is a writer and is home most days. Irrelevant. The only thing that matters is that dad spends good times with the child who is learning all there is to know. The story is simply written and with great sensitivity. The illustrations are equally basic but intrinsically beautiful.
I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from Quarto Publishing Group – words & pictures via NetGalley. Thank you!
39 reviews
March 30, 2021
What a beautiful book that's all about dad! The main character describes how his dad isn't famous or an astronaut, but still is a super special dad to him. I think there are way more books about moms/mothers, but not as much about fathers. This book also breaks the gender stereotype for fathers, because the dad bakes, cooks, gardens, does the groceries, reads bedtime stories, and so on so forth. The story clearly shows the loving relationship between the kid and dad. So heartwarming! We need more books like this!

Oh, I love, love, love the watercolor illustrations. It's so colorful, soft, and so appropriate for the tone of the story.
2,714 reviews9 followers
March 25, 2021
This is a lovely and very sweet book about the relationship between a child and his dad. It celebrates the ways in which dads care for kids every day. They might cook together, go to the park, attend soccer practice or read bedtime stories. Each of these activities, along with the many others found in this title, show how brilliant it is to be the child of a caring parent. The gentle illustrations enhance the text beautifully making for a book to enjoy.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Darcie Jenkins.
47 reviews
March 26, 2021
This book is visually stunning. The illustrations, like watercolor are so beautiful while remaining child friendly (not too stodgy). This book is of course perfect for single fathers, but also for any parents who feel like they're not measuring up to society's standards of a "good parent." The story touches on all of the little things that children and parents do together that are so much more important than making all the money and being a superhero. What our children will remember is our laughter, our playfulness, and our spirit.
Profile Image for Becky.
989 reviews5 followers
March 29, 2021
This is a picture book with fun, colorful illustrations and about one sentence per page, perfect for Father's Day. It is a sweet story of a very lucky child with a dad who spends a lot of quality time with him. It will bring back happy memories from your childhood or when your own children were young. The book doesn't address this directly at all, but seeing all the activities the child does with his dad is also a gentle reminder to put down your phone and be present creating happy memories with your kids. Five stars. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free digital copy.
2 reviews
May 2, 2021
The best kind of heroes are ones who we share experiences with. “My Dad” is a story filled with charming illustrations and a loving message about the positive impact the narrator’s father has with them. The book showcases the importance of having a parent(in this case dad) take on an active role in their child’s life through play and everyday routines. I appreciate how some of the font’s shape and size encourages the reader to have fun with the text. I can see toddlers as young as one or two and definitely preschool age children enjoy the pace of the story and being read to by their own dad.
Profile Image for beckys_book_blog .
602 reviews39 followers
March 30, 2021
This is a lovely book about the special relationship between a dad and his little boy. In this story dad bakes, has picnics, goes sledging, reads stories and does lots of other everyday activities with the little boy in the story. The story is told in rhyme and the illustrations are gorgeous. A lovely book to remind children how special their own dad is and one that children can relate to. Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing group for this ARC.
Profile Image for Shannon Yannitello.
10 reviews
May 5, 2021
There isn't one right way to be a parent and in this splendid ode a child shares with us why their dad is fantastic in a myriad of ways. Refreshing, delightful, and heartwarming - this story is perfect for dads everywhere.

Readers are invited to see a man through the eyes of his child. The effortless rhyme is poignant in its simplicity, relatable in its breadth, and paired beautifully with warm and inclusive illustrations.

More complete review to come - @thelarkspurandthewaterlily
Profile Image for Panda Incognito.
4,867 reviews98 followers
May 16, 2021
This sweet, well-illustrated picture book describes all the things that a boy and his dad do together. The rhyme scheme is somewhat inconsistent, but the text flows well, with vivid language and a joyful tone. This would be great for Father's Day, and is a wonderful book for people who are interested in multicultural, non-stereotyped depictions of dads.

I received a temporary digital copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Tabrizia.
726 reviews7 followers
March 27, 2021
Thank you NetGalley and Quarto Publishing for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Not only does this picture book has beautiful illustrations, it places the father figure doing all things that is stereotypically the mother's job but I love how this shows the male figure doing all aspects of parenting.
Profile Image for Becki Sims.
504 reviews12 followers
April 7, 2021
What a brilliant book!

It is so nice to read a children’s book with a positive male role model in as most of them have moms and the dads go to work.

It is beautifully written and flows amazingly well. It is well illustrated and is very interesting to see everything that is going on on the page.

I loved this book and will read it again.

Thank you very much to the author and NetGalley for gifting me this arc in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Profile Image for Catherine.
862 reviews4 followers
April 15, 2021
This book is like the old saying. Anyone can father a child but it someone special to be a dad.
This book takes you through a day with a dad and his child and what they do together. No stereotypical roles.
Colourful pictures and lovely rhyming words.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC
Profile Image for Jo.
972 reviews16 followers
May 9, 2021
A wonderful story about one of world's superheroes. My dad. He might not be somebody famous, but father who spends time with their boys is a superhero indeed. He knows what we need, what we feel, and how to have fun in this life. A role that most dad neglect, some forgot, and so many didn't do as much. What makes a dad so special is his presence.
Profile Image for Ryan.
5,971 reviews33 followers
June 3, 2021
This lovely tale is just a boy telling you all the reasons he loves his dad. He doesn't need to be a superhero or a secret agent, he just needs to be a dad. The illustrations are lovely, and the main characters are people of color. This simple book with a simple message is sure to stay on library shelves for years.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews