Bailey and Blanket

PreS-K–Parents everywhere dread the loss of their child’s favorite comfort item, and yet, they anticipate the day when their child gains independence and their immediate happiness is not so dependent on the beloved, worn item. Bailey, of no specified gender, is a biracial child with big imagination and a spirit of adventure. Bailey’s Black mother and white father join in for picnics and star-gazing, but the child’s essential and constant companions are a beautiful red blanket and a pet cat. These three fight pirates, hide from spiders, play at the beach, read in hammocks, and enjoy tea parties. In addition to being a cozy blanket, depending on Bailey’s preference Blanket can transform into a parachute, a sail, a hammock, or a tent. Disaster strikes when a dog tears Blanket to shreds, but Bailey’s father is able to take the pieces of Blanket and make a backpack for Bailey. Bailey is adaptable enough to accept this final transformation of Blanket and is able to appreciate the father’s loving efforts. Young children will enjoy the rhyming text and will particularly have fun finding Bailey’s white cat throughout the pages. The illustrations are comfortable and colorful and show a fun-loving child and a close-knit, loving family.