“Me and My Shadow (That’s My Dad)” By Harsha Goyal

A touching tale of a father’s love, always present like a comforting shadow.

“Me and My Shadow (That’s My Dad)” is a heartwarming picture book that captures the simple yet powerful moments shared between a father and his child. Through minimal text and expressive illustrations, the story shows how Dad is always there—like a comforting shadow—guiding, helping, playing, and just being present in everyday life. Whether it’s brushing teeth together, fixing a broken toy, or dancing around the room, the story reminds readers that love often shows up in quiet, consistent ways.

Inspired by the small, everyday moments that shape a lifelong bond.

The idea for this book came from observing the beautiful connection between my own son and his father. I’ve watched how my little one mimics his dad’s every move, walks in his shoes (literally!), and sees him as the ultimate superhero. That inspired me to create a book that didn’t focus on grand gestures, but rather the small, meaningful moments that make up real-life parenting. It’s those unfiltered, unscripted instances—like a shared laugh during bath time or a quick cuddle before sleep—that build lifelong bonds.

A heartfelt read-aloud celebrating the everyday bond between fathers and children.

This book is designed for children aged 1 and up, especially toddlers who are beginning to connect deeply with their caregivers and mimic daily routines. It’s a perfect read-aloud for parents, especially dads, and a beautiful gift for occasions like Father’s Day or birthdays. More than anything, this book serves as a treasured bedtime companion, sparking joy and connection between fathers and children.

A celebration of fatherhood’s quiet, heartfelt moments.

My hope is that this book brings smiles to little ones and a gentle sense of pride to every dad who reads it. I want children to recognize their everyday adventures in these pages, and I want dads to feel seen for the love they give quietly, consistently, and wholeheartedly. This story is about emotional presence—the kind that doesn’t need words but is felt deeply in every shared giggle, every hand held, and every moment spent together.

Every page of the book was written and designed with intention—to capture the rhythm of daily life in a way that feels warm, relatable, and timeless. The text is simple, with no more than 10–30 words per page, and the illustrations do much of the storytelling. That was a conscious choice, as I believe young children connect most with visual cues and repetition, and parents appreciate books that create bonding moments without overwhelming language.

Expanding heartwarming stories to celebrate family bonds.

Looking ahead, I plan to promote this book through interactive read-aloud sessions, library events, and partnerships with parenting communities. I’d love to eventually expand this idea into a series that highlights other important relationships—like “Me and My Sparkle (That’s My Mom)” or “Me and My Star (That’s My Grandparent)”—while keeping the tone equally warm and relatable. I also envision merchandise or memory kits where parents and kids can recreate some of the activities shown in the book, making reading even more immersive.

Creating heartfelt stories inspired by real-life parenting moments.

I’m Harsha Goyal, a writer, parenting enthusiast, and mother of two. I root my writing in real-life parenting moments and strive to create stories that are both helpful and heart-touching. I’ve authored several books for young readers, including The Big Feelings Island, Up, Up, and Away with Coco and Meko, and the Guchi and Kookie series inspired by my own children. I strongly believe that books for young kids should be simple, genuine, and filled with love—because that’s the world they live in.

“Me and My Shadow (That’s My Dad)” is more than just a book—it’s a thank-you note to fathers everywhere who show up in the most beautiful ways, every single day. This book honors the quiet heroes whose love shines through every small act, even without a “thank you.”

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