If I Could Keep You Little

Reader reviewed by Rita Lorraine Hubbard, The Original H.I.R. (Historical Investigative Reporter)

Another year has come and gone and its time to say goodbye to 2010. Can you believe it? And yet, as exciting as welcoming another year will be, one cant help but look back and wistfully ask, Where in the world has the time gone?

Thats why the Fall debut of, If I Could Keep You Little, by author/illustrator Marianne Richmond, is so appropriate. Its because this sweet book asks the very same question the world is asking right now: Where has the time gone? Only its asking this question about children, of course.

This bright and colorful picture book is published by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, and accurately (and very sweetly) portrays the dueling emotions parents feel as they first pray that their children grow big and strong, then pray that they stay little for as long as possible. Talented Richmond makes jubilant, expert use of the primary colors - soft greens and yellows, reds and blues, to lend a warm, familiar elementary-school feeling to the pages.

If I Could Keep You Little, celebrates the bond between parent and child as newborns grow to toddlers; toddlers learn to climb trees and finger paint; and finally, big boys and girls choose their own outfits and ride off to school on the big yellow bus for the very first time.

This is just a lovely book with a lovely message, and is sure to become a fast favorite for lap time or bedtime. Want to keep your child little? Well, you cant&but you can have fun trying. Just read, If I could Keep you Little.