(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay is a cozy, soulful picture book that brings Otis Redding’s classic lyrics to life through gentle, kid-friendly storytelling and warm, nostalgic art.
This book follows a lonesome little cat who spends his days fishing off a quiet dock, watching ships glide by and the tide drift in and out. As the sun moves from morning to evening, his peaceful “wasting time” slowly turns into something more hopeful when he meets a young girl who’s also sitting on the dock, and a sweet new friendship begins.
With the original lyrics by Otis Redding and Steve Cropper woven through soft, expressive illustrations by Kaitlyn Shea O’Connor, it becomes both a lullaby on paper and a gentle introduction to classic soul music for kids. For parents, it’s one of those read-alouds that feels like sharing a favorite song from your own childhood—perfect for winding down at the end of the day, talking about feelings like loneliness and connection in a low-key way, and maybe even queuing up the song afterward for a mini family concert by the couch.
