The Best Daddy of All - by Peter Horn (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Little tortoise Sebastian is having the perfect day with his dad when he wonders, what are some things a dad can do? His dad playfully asks him to guess which daddy chirps to his chicks (Daddy Bird), which daddy teaches his kits how to hop and run (Daddy Rabbit), and which daddy shows his pups how to sleep upside down (Daddy Bat)! But Sebastian knows which daddy is the best ... his own!"--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

Sebastian the tortoise knows which daddy is the best of all (his own!) in this heartwarming picture book about all the amazing things a dad can do.

Little tortoise Sebastian is having the perfect day with his dad when he wonders, what are some things a dad can do? His dad playfully asks him to guess which daddy chirps to his chicks (Daddy Bird), which daddy teaches his kits how to hop and run (Daddy Rabbit), and which daddy shows his pups how to sleep upside down (Daddy Bat)! But Sebastian knows which daddy is the best . . . his own!

The perfect picture book to cuddle up with, this loving ode to fathers has a soothing call and response that encourages children to guess along with Sebastian which daddy animal is being described.

Review Quotes

"An endearing guessing game involves 10 animal fathers... Originally published in Switzerland, this lovely tale invites fathers everywhere to cuddle their little ones close for a delightful read-aloud. Sweet, interactive, and informational--a winsome combination."-- "Kirkus Reviews"

"Daddy Tortoise and son Sebastian play an extended guessing game that doubles as a celebration of how animal dads care for their young in this picture book... Meserve's whimsical nature illustrations--delicate line drawings washed with layers of semi-iridescent coloring--add charm to the exchanges"-- "Publishers Weekly"

"The charming repetitive nature of the text and the loving illustrations will have young readers thoroughly enjoying the read-aloud experience, for Father's Day or all year around."-- "School Library Journal "

"What a delightful ode to fatherhood! ...Readers of all ages will enjoy the soft yet total immersion in nature study as they also quietly absorb the idea that there are all kinds of daddies who take care of their kids in all kinds of personal and important ways."-- "Children's Literature"

About the Author

Peter Horn was born in Krems in Lower Austria. He studied history and teaching English as a second language at the University of Vienna and has worked as a teacher since 1987. He has authored more than thirty books for children and young people and has also published articles about film and literature.

Jessica Meserve was born in the US and grew up in the UK. She studied illustration at Edinburgh College of Art and Cambridge School of Art and worked in publishing as a children's book designer before pursuing a career as a children's author and illustrator. In 2020 she was nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal for What Clara Saw. She finds inspiration and happiness from the great outdoors, her two dogs, and her family. She lives with her family in England.

Johanna McCalmont is a translator originally from Northern Ireland and currently living in Brussels, Belgium. She translates French, German, Dutch, and Italian and also acts as an interpreter.