Love, Mama

PreS-K—A penguin hatchling named Kipling discovers that when his mama takes a trip, waiting for her return isn't easy. He tries his best to pretend with a pillow, a picture, and a mama made of snow, but nothing feels right. When a "sad, soggy box" arrives on his doorstep, he's disappointed until he discovers that Mama has sent him a special care package to make his waiting easier. Inside is a paper heart that reminds him of how far her love reaches. Kipling returns the gesture and gleefully greets her when she finally returns carrying his package with her. The soft blues and grays of Bradley's frosty landscapes match the emotional tone of a young child missing his mother. The ambiguous nature of her trip gives this wide appeal for very young children with an absent, deployed, or traveling parent. The text is simple enough for young readers but the authentic and tender emotions shared between a separated mother and child are universally powerful.