Me With You

June 1, 2009
PreS-This charmingly illustrated take on a reassuring adult-child relationship crosses the line into saccharine and obscure. The text, presumably from the point of view of the child, describes all of the ways she and her grandfather play, spend time together, and support one another. Each rhyming verse incorporates in some form the words "me" and "you." Unfortunately, the voice is adult in tone and sentiment, with phrases such as "tickling ivories," and "On days when being me feels like/the sky was painted black, /you and I together roll/along a brighter track." The mostly full-bleed, color-saturated illustrations depicting a fully dressed little girl bear and her bespectacled grandfather are expressive and appealing. With a painterly feel that showcases the versatility of the computer medium and effective use of color and shadows reflecting the mood of the story, the artwork easily outshines the overly sweet verses. Books about unconditional love are a dime a dozen, and this one breaks no new ground."Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2009
Preschool-G In a beautiful country setting, a young female bear rhapsodizes to her grandfather about their special relationship. Full-page illustrations show many of the appealing activities that the rotund grandfather and the petite granddaughter share, including a tea party, baseball, making music, and growing flowers. Even when they are at odds (Whenever I am not so nice and selfish with my stuff. . . . ), it ends pleasantly. While the rhyming text is delightful, it is the lush, computer-generated illustrations and the two cozy, endearing characters that children will treasure. The enticing, picturesque scenes will make readers want to climb right into the pages to participate in each charming episode. The facial expressions and body language of the bears are perfect to communicate their thoughts, primarilythe enthusiasm and navet' of the granddaughter and the quiet tolerance and protectiveness of the grandfather. For a bear exchange similar in feeling (between mother and son), see Kiss Good Night by Amy Hest (2001).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)