[Monday Reading] Tender Stories of the Enduring Power of Parental Love in “I’ll Never Let You Go” and “Little One”

Fats here.

It’s Monday, What are You Reading is a meme hosted by Jen from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers (new host of Monday reading: Kathryn T at Book Date). Since two of our friends, Linda from Teacher Dance and Tara from A Teaching Life have been joining this meme for quite awhile now, we thought of joining this warm and inviting community.

Today’s post features two picture books that I came across in the Summer Reading display in our library. I fell in love with how both books portrayed the love that parents have for their children.

“You and I. Hand in hand. An endless story of love.
A love that grew in me for 9 months and only grows bigger each day.

You and I. Hand in hand. An endless journey.
Countless steps. One destination – your happiness.

You and I. Hand in hand. My heart and blood.
I’ll share it all – take it – my whole life is you.”

— Veronika Jensen

I’ll Never Let You Go

Author: Smriti Prasadam-Halls
Illustrator: Alison Brown
Publisher: Bloomsbury (2015)
ISBN-10: 1681190605
ISBN-13: 978-1681190600

Smriti Prasadam-Halls and Alison Brown are the team who created I Love You Night and Day, a copy of which I wasn’t able to get from our catalog. I’ll Never Let You Go is a poetic tribute to unconditional love. It’s an absolute gem!

“When you are sad and troubled with fears,
I hold you close and dry all your tears.”

“When you aren’t sure, you’ll feel me near.
When you are scared, I will be here.”

I’ll Never Let You Go is very reminiscent of the works by Nancy Tillman. Alison Brown’s tender illustrations go hand in hand with the loving text by Smriti Prasadam-Halls. With short, rhyming verses, I’ll Never Let You Go would make an excellent bedtime story and “anytime” read-aloud story for parents and children.

Little One

Text and illustrations: Jo Weaver
Publisher: Peachtree Publishers (2016)
ISBN-10: 1561459240
ISBN-13: 978-1561459247

Little One is one of the most beautiful picture books I’ve seen this year. This is Jo Weaver’s first picture book. She holds a master’s degree in children’s book illustration from the Cambridge School of Art.

By her side, half asleep and blinking in the spring sunshine, wobbled a tiny cub.
“There’s so much to discover in your new world, Little One,” said Big Bear.

Dedicated to her parents who read to her, Jo Weaver tells the story of a mama bear whose mission is to teach her cub about the outside world. Winter has just ended, and both set out of their den to explore the forest. This highlights the important role that parents play in the lives of their children. Parents are children’s first teachers, instilling in them values and life skills that they need as they grow older.

Together they explored far and wide…
and filled their tummies with ripe autumn berries.

Jo Weaver’s charcoal illustrations are as precious as the love shared between Big Bear and Little One. Just like I’ll Never Let You Go, the story of Little One is short but sweet, and will resonate in the hearts of readers.

Currently Reading…

Enter Title Here by Rahul Kanakia

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What’s on your reading list this week?