Copyright Date:
2022
Edition Date:
2022
Release Date:
09/20/22
Illustrator:
Huang, Ya-Ling,
Pages:
1 volume (unpaged)
ISBN:
1-525-30459-3
ISBN 13:
978-1-525-30459-0
Dewey:
E
LCCN:
2023285197
Dimensions:
24 cm
Language:
English
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews
Even on the busiest of days, parents find time to think about their children.An anthropomorphic bear readies their cub for school-making sure the little one eats breakfast and gets dressed and giving the cub a big hug before leaving for work. A page turn offers a glimpse into each bear's day, complete with onomatopoeic descriptions. The parent looks over their to-do list, sends emails ("Click-i-ty, Clack-a-ty"), and gives a presentation; the cub reads to stuffed friends, paints pictures ("DAB! SWIPE!"), and shares at circle time. The busy days are depicted in split panels that alternate between classic pastel colors and, when the parent stops to think about the cub at various points, soft hues of mint green, warm rose, shadowy purple, aquamarine, or light amber. Moments of humor in which the parent discovers a missing button ("Whoops!") and makes a mess at lunch ("Chit-chat. Splat!") demonstrate that grown-ups can make mistakes, too, and keep the story from being too precious. Furthermore, this side-by-side storytelling places equal emphasis on each bear's day, validating the cub's play as their work. Young readers anticipating the start of school will benefit from both the introduction to daily events and the reminder that they are in their parents' thoughts all day long. (This book was reviewed digitally.)Warm and reassuring, sure to be especially appreciated by families with working parents and apprehensive children. (Picture book. 3-6)
A mother bear at work all day never stops thinking about her child in this reassuring story with a heartwarming message.
In this tender picture book, a mother bear tells her child about her workday. She describes one activity after another, and follows each description with And I think about you. Illustrations show her at her tasks, with a corresponding activity she imagines with her child in a thought bubble beside her. Then, turn the page, and the child is shown participating in a parallel activity at school. So, the mother bear reads her emails, and thinks about reading to her child, while the child reads on the carpet in the classroom. She shares a project with her coworkers, and thinks about sharing time with her child on the sofa, while the child shares a pinwheel during circle time. The rhythmic pattern will enchant and delight young readers all the way to the surprising end!
Rosanne L. Kurstedt beautifully captures the loving connection between a parent and child in this sweet story told in a gentle singsong narration, with sound effects. Ya-Ling Huang uses layers of watercolor and colored pencils to create a soft, transparent visual effect. The repeated refrain And I think about you is relatable, comforting and true, perfect for reassuring a child that, even out of sight, they are never out of their parents thoughts. This book will encourage sharing stories, and could spark a wonderful routine for readers. It offers an excellent opportunity to explore what parents do all day at work as well. It is also sure to resonate with parents.