Someday and Little Boy Books, Authors Alison McGhee and Peter H. Reynolds, COPYRIGHT | DAYSWITHUS.COM (March 2013)

Do you know the children’s book: SOMEDAY and LITTLE BOY written by Alison McGhee and Peter H. Reynolds (yes, the same Peter H. Reynolds from The Blue Bunny Bookstore)? If you don’t know these books, then you should immediately Google them for more information, head over to your local library to borrow a copy, or order one or both of them. I’m serious. I love these children’s books; however, I am focusing specifically on SOMEDAY for this post because it is the one I read most often. The story is short but elegantly written, incredibly powerful, and heartfelt from beginning to end. The illustrations are beautiful. The words are sentimental. The imagery forces beautifully rich and vivid thoughts as I reminisce about my children’s birth and their first moments in my arms and how quickly four years and two years have passed. The pages of SOMEDAY come alive as they also welcome memories of milestones achieved as well as future endeavors I may dream about for my little loves. Closing my eyes, I acknowledge the presence of time and its quickness. My littles are growing and changing in rapid succession yet I desperately grasp the clock handles not wanting another minute to pass.

From the first introductory read four years ago, to the moment I read it last night, the same teary reaction confronts my shaky voice. Time-after-time, the reaction remains the same. My daughter curiously looks at me, tears rolling down my face, and quietly inquires about “why I am sad?” My response, consistent and clear, remains “I am not sad. I am happy.” I slowly and gently explain my tears are a reaction of a heart bursting with love for her, her brother, and our family. My inclination is that she does not understand the juxtaposition of tears with simultaneous happiness but I am working on bridging that connection every single time I read the book. It’s funny, my baby girl will select this book over-and-over again and for awhile I was thinking, “No, I won’t tear up this time because I just read it last night” but guess what, I do (over and over again).

Why does this book drive me to my emotional knees with every turned page? My stomach clenched, I try to choke back my emotions, but the words, the images, and the sentiments immediately tug on my ever-present, soft, sentimental side. The story depicts a mother’s dream for her child and the evolution of a parent and child’s life-cycle. The book’s sweet statements remind me of how my own children will grow, explore, mature and become more and more independent as they start discovering and creating their own lives and pathways. I can’t even type those words without chocking up. As a mother of a 4 and a 2 year old, sometimes the days are desperately long and so-so challenging; however, this book highlights just how rapidly life’s moments will disappear becoming only memories of the heart and mind. I swear, this is why I blog. I want to remember the tiniest of details both in how beautifully wonderful it is to be a parent as well as how tough it is and how days can feel so lonely, isolating, and long. Parenting is hard, very-very hard but I would not exchange it for anything in the world. My husband and I struggled and struggled to get pregnant so I am abundantly aware of what my children mean to me, to us {to read more about our infertility journey, you may want to read the post: FINDING THE WORDS, dated 05/02/2012}.

The book SOMEDAY written by Alison McGhee and Peter H. Reynolds is a gem of a story. It should be on your child’s bookshelf. It is a timeless piece and important reminder to stay present in whatever moment you are in with your child and your family. Time only moves forward and fast. I do not want to look back longingly wishing I had spent more time creating memories. I read this book fully aware that the story speaks to me as a mother and emotional spirit. I wish my daughter could articulate why she also loves it so much. She’s picking SOMEDAY from a diverse collection of children’s books on her bookshelf for some reason. Until I have more information from her 4 year old perspective, I will assume she enjoys the words and illustrations along with my reaction and our snugly conversation about the special relationship between a daughter and her mother.

Am I the only one with this emotional attachment to this beautifully written book? I refuse to believe so?  What is your favorite children’s book, and why? We love, love, love books in our home and I’m always looking for recommendations to add to our collection as I continue to build a literature rich environment for my children.

Someday and Little Boy Books, Authors Alison McGhee and Peter H. Reynolds, COPYRIGHT | DAYSWITHUS.COM (March 2013)

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