I’ll Always Come Back to You

PreS-Gr 2–In this clever and humorous picture book, a mother lovingly reassures her daughter that no matter where she goes, she will always return. As a mother gets ready for work and hurriedly makes breakfast, her daughter looks worriedly on, anticipating the moment they will be separated. Using wild and astonishing examples, the parent seeks to comfort her daughter—whether it’s visiting a sick friend or riding on a whale or fighting off bears, she will always come back. She assures the little girl that no matter who watches over her—a babysitter or relative—the child will be safe, even if she is a little bored until they can be reunited. The colorful and lively illustrations convey the rush of the mother’s life as she readies for work as a mail carrier, depicting her in the imaginative situations she shares with her daughter. As the daughter grows sad, the room darkens until her mother finally returns. Short sentences and fun situations make this an excellent read-aloud and story time selection, with repetitive phrases reinforcing the message.