kurstedt

A mother bear at work all day never stops thinking about her child in this reassuring story with a heartwarming message.

In this tender picture book, a mother bear tells her child about her workday. She describes one activity after another, and follows each description with ＂And I think about you.＂ Illustrations show her at her tasks, with a corresponding activity she imagines with her child in a thought bubble beside her. Then, turn the page, and the child is shown participating in a parallel activity at school. So, the mother bear reads her emails, and thinks about reading to her child, while the child reads on the carpet in the classroom. She shares a project with her coworkers, and thinks about sharing time with her child on the sofa, while the child shares a pinwheel during circle time. The rhythmic pattern will enchant and delight young readers -- all the way to the surprising end!

Rosanne L. Kurstedt beautifully captures the loving connection between a parent and child in this sweet story told in a gentle singsong narration, with sound effects. Ya-Ling Huang uses layers of watercolor and colored pencils to create a soft, transparent visual effect. The repeated refrain -- ＂And I think about you＂ -- is relatable, comforting and true, perfect for reassuring a child that, even out of sight, they are never out of their parents’ thoughts. This book will encourage sharing stories, and could spark a wonderful routine for readers. It offers an excellent opportunity to explore what parents do all day at work as well. It is also sure to resonate with parents.

Rosanne L. Kurstedt, PhD has been an educator for over twenty years, supporting learners of all ages. She is the author of several books for teachers, including Teaching Writing with Picture Books as Models and a series entitled 100+ Growth Mindset Comments. She is also the founder of The Author Experience, a 501(c)(3) organization committed to the transformative power of sharing stories. Her first children’s book, Karate Kid (Running Press Kids), was released in 2019. And I Think About You is her second book. Rosanne lives in New Jersey with her family, including their dog Dorothy (who looks just like Toto).