When I Became Your Daddy - (When I Became Your . . .) by Susannah Shane (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A touching and heartfelt story about the special bond between father and child.

When I became your daddy,
you made my world complete.
I didn't know the little things
in life could be so sweet.

This beautiful, reassuring picture book celebrates the unconditional love a father has for his child. When I Became Your Daddy follows an otter and his pup as they explore rock pools, play in the sand, and float snuggled up together at night. A lyrical rhyming text by Susannah Shane is accompanied by gorgeous, digitally collaged cut-paper illustrations by Britta Teckentrup, with sophisticated silver foil detailing on the cover.

The fourth book in the When I Became Your . . . series. Past titles include When I Became Your Grandma, When I Became Your Grandpa, andWhen I Became Your Mommy.

Review Quotes

An otter dad celebrates fatherhood-and his little one.
The author/illustrator pair behind When I Became Your Grandma (2023) and When I Became Your Grandpa (2024), which featured, respectively, a panda and a lion pair, now spotlight the loving bond between father and child. Addressing his offspring in upbeat rhyming verse, Daddy declares, "You made my world complete. / I didn't know the little things in life could be so sweet." He expresses pride for his pup, who learns and grows each day. "If you ever lose your way and everything feels wrong," Daddy promises to "help guide you along." And little ones need not be afraid: "We'll take it slowly, step by step / and walk the path as one." "Life can be tricky sometimes," Daddy points out, "but it's also full of fun!" The occasionally clumsy, always sentimental verse is more likely to speak to adults than to little ones, but the cut-paper illustrations-providing the same clear, minimalist settings and bright-eyed creatures as in earlier books-are a winsome bunch. Admittedly, real-life otters aren't monogamous, and males, who don't raise offspring, wouldn't actually cuddle a pup, as this involved papa does. But readers won't notice-and the duo are certainly adorable.
A rhyming love note to the joys of fatherhood. (Picture book. 0-3)

--Kirkus Reviews

A baby sea otter frisks with his father through Britta Teckentrup's pastel illustrations in 'When I Became Your Daddy, ' a rhyming picture book by Susannah Shane. Designed to be read aloud by a father--ideally at bedtime, perhaps on Father's Day--the text consists of mild, amiable words of support on the theme of paternal steadfastness. 'If you ever lose your way and everything feels wrong, ' the listening child will hear, 'remember that I'm here for you--to help guide you along.' Ms. Teckentrup's stylized pictures give buoyancy to this gentle and sedate exercise for children ages 2-7.--Meghan Cox Gurdon, Wall Street Journal

Illustrated by Britta Teckentrup. In Daddy, a father otter explains, in rhyming couplets, how much he loves his child: "When I became your daddy, you made my world complete. / I didn't know the little things in life could be so sweet." In Mommy, a mama bunny expresses the same feelings. The sentimental texts are more likely to interest mommies and daddies than their children, but the soothing, textured illustrations--pastel-colored spreads showing the pairs' day of frolicking and snuggling--are appealing.--RACHEL L. KERNS, The Horn Book

"The text consists of mild, amiable words of support on the theme of paternal steadfastness ... Ms. Teckentrup's stylized pictures give buoyancy to this gentle and sedate exercise for children ages 2-7."--Meghan Cox Gurdon, Wall Street Journal

"The soothing, textured illustrations--pastel-colored spreads showing the pairs' day of frolicking and snuggling--are appealing."--RACHEL L. KERNS, The Horn Book

"A rhyming love note to the joys of fatherhood."--Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Susannah Shane grew up in Italy and Bermuda and now lives East London, England, and works in children's publishing editing children's books in addition to writing them.

Britta Teckentraup has illustrated many books for children in her cut-paper style that have been published around the world. She lives in Berlin, Germany, with her husband, son, and cat.