Review Detail

4.0 1

Carry My Heart With You

Kids Indie 515

Great title for reassurance

October 07, 2023 (Updated: June 25, 2026)

Overall rating

4.0

Plot

4.0

Characters

4.0

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

4.0

A little rabbit is starting school, and apprehensive as his father drops him off. He is given a small heart to carry with him as his day unfolds. From coloring pcitures to being in a play to helping a friend who has fallen, the rabbit holdsonto the heart, and it comforts him in good times and bad. A small woooden heart is included with the book in a pull compartment in the front cover.

Good Points

The illustrations are reminiscent of Rosemary Wells' animals, but have a softer, more chalk pastel quality to the coloring. Rabbit goes to school with and has friends who are hedgehogs, squirrels, badgers, and foxes, and there is a parent depicted in a wheelchair, so there is some attempt at diversifying the characters. The facial expressions are delightful, and the color palette heavy on soft greens and peaches, which gives this a pleasant 1980s feel that should appeal to today's parents.

The message is a good one; the parent's love is with the child even when they are not together. The text is short, so would hold up to repeated readings and make a nice mantra for a child who has some separation anxiety.

My favorite book about being apart is Waddell's Owl Babies, and this would be a good book to have in rotation for a child who needs reassurance, along with Penn and Harper's The Kissing Hand Dewdney's Llama Llama Misses Mama, and Rusackas' I Love You All Day Long.