My Daddy Is a Cowboy: A Picture Book

A Caldecott Honor Book and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Book

A young girl and her father share an early morning horseback ride around their city in My Daddy Is a Cowboy, an award-winning picture book celebration of "just-us time," with 6 starred reviews, including praise such as gorgeous, must-have, exuberant, immersive, and magical.

In the early hours before dawn, a young girl and her father greet their horses and ride together through the waking city streets. As they trot along, Daddy tells cowboy stories filled with fun and community, friendship, discovery, and pride.

Seeing her city from a new vantage point and feeling seen in a new way, the child discovers that she too is a cowboy--strong and confident in who she is.

Thoughtfully and lyrically written by debut author Stephanie Seales, with vibrant illustrations from award-winning artist C. G. Esperanza, this beautiful picture book is a celebration of Black joy, outdoor play, and quality time spent between child and parent.

Tall. High as the clouds.
Strong as a horse's back.
Like a cowboy.

Author: Stephanie Seales
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
Published: 06/11/2024
Pages: 48
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.07lbs
Size: 10.75h x 8.87w x 0.46d
ISBN: 9781419760815
Audience: Ages 4-8

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 3.8
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 551629 / My Daddy Is a Cowboy


Award: Caldecott Medal - Honor Book
Award: Coretta Scott King Award - Honor Book


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 04/08/2024
Kirkus Reviews 04/15/2024
BookPage 06/01/2024
Booklist 06/01/2024 pg. 98
School Library Journal 10/04/2024 pg. 1
Horn Book Magazine 01/01/2025 pg. 74
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2025 - Outstanding, Noteworthy In Style

About the Author
Stephanie Seales is a storyteller, dreamer, and doer who is passionate about racial equity. She's also a children's literature expert who's worked in almost every aspect of the book business. She understands the power of story and follows Toni Morrison's advice, writing the books she wants to read. She dreams and creates near the water in the Hudson Valley, New York. C. G. Esperanza is the award-winning illustrator of Soul Food Sunday, which received a Coretta Scott King Honor, and the author-illustrator of Boogie, Boogie, Y'all, which received a Pura Belpré Youth Illustrator Honor among many other awards. He lives in the Bronx, New York.