Howdy, Pardners!
Now that the summer hiatus is over, we’re back to Perfect Picture Book Fridays! And not a moment too soon! I have about 47 books I wanted to share today 😊 Luckily, other PPBF participants are likely to share some of them.
Which reminds me, if you’re one of the dedicated folks who consistently posted Perfect Picture Books all summer, please feel free to add them all to today’s list. That will be wonderful for everyone!
I have a lovely book to share today, one that seems especially appropriate with school just starting. In the story, the mother is at work thinking of her child, and the child is at school thinking of their mom.
AND, as if a glimpse of this beautiful book weren’t enough, we have a giveaway! One lucky person is going to win a copy of AND I THINK ABOUT YOU! All you have to do is leave a comment in the comment section below between now and Wednesday September 14 at 9PM Eastern and you’ll be in the running to be randomly selected. I will announce the winner next Friday.
Title: And I Think About You
Written By: Rosanne L. Kurstedt
Illustrated By: Ya-Ling Huang
Publisher: Kids Can Press, September 20, 2022, Fiction
Suitable For Ages: 3-6
Themes/Topics: family love (mother/child), being apart, reassurance
Opening: “Together we eat breakfast.
I drink my coffee.
You scoop your milk-soaked cereal.”
Brief Synopsis: A mother bear goes through her work day describing what she’s doing while always thinking about her little one, only to come home and discover that her child has been thinking about her too.
Links To Resources:
Special treat! A craft supplied by the author! Thank you, Rosanne!
Why I Like This Book: This book lovingly shows how a mom at work does her job and simultaneously has her child in mind all day long. Though they may be apart, she is always thinking of her little one. The story flows seamlessly between what the mother is doing and thinking and what the child is doing, showing their parallel activities. As the mom reads her emails, she thinks about reading with her child, and on the page turn, her child is in school reading a story. As the mother eats lunch with a friend, she thinks about eating with her child, and on the page turn the child is eating lunch with school friends. This sweet story will reassure any child that whether mom and dad go out to work or work from home, any time they’re separated during the day they are always in their parents minds and hearts. The soft watercolor art captures the tender mood of the story perfectly. A wonderful choice for any bookshelf!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 😊
Rosanne L. Kurstedt, Ph.D., has been an educator for over 20 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. Rosanne loves picture books and anything kid-lit so she volunteers as the Assistant Regional Advisor for the New Jersey chapter of the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators. Her first book Karate Kid (Running Press Kids) was released in 2019 and her second book And I Think About You (Kids Can Press) was released in 2022.
She loves sharing her books and expertise with readers of all ages at various author events (e.g., school visits, festivals, teacher professional development, mom’s groups, etc.)
Rosanne is the founder of The Author Experience (www.TheAuthorExperience.org), a 501(c)(3) organization committed to the transformative power of sharing stories. In collaboration with students, families, and educators, TAE provides sustainable literacy-based experiences that build a culture of literacy—one that elevates connections and delivers lasting impact.
Rosanne lives in New Jersey with her family.
Rosanne’s Social Media:
Web: https://www.rlkurstedt.com/
Twitter: @rlkurstedt
Instagram: @rlkurstedt
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RLKurstedtAuthor
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! 😊
Susanna Leonard Hill 
Yeah! Welcome back. This is a really sweet story of a mother and child.
I’m glad you like it too, Maria!
What a lovely story. I thought about how I am always thinking about my kids. And made me want to talk to my mom:) Excited to read it! Congrats Roseanne
That’s sweet, Sheri. I hope you were able to see her, give her a call, or send her a prayer 😊
Thinking about your kids even when they get older never ends. The worries just change according to their age. This story brings back memories. Great book for Mother’s Day. Get the tissues ready!
I know, right, Bru? Anyone who thinks that parenting ends when they turn 18 doesn’t have 30 year olds 😊
Love the parallel structure. Looking forward to reading it. Congrats to Roseanne and Ya-Ling🎉
It’s so nicely done, Ana. A lovely example of how to make parallel structure work well!
This book looks lovely. I’m excited that I can get it on Hoopla and look forward to reading it. Thanks for the PPBF post, Susanna!
My pleasure, Sarah! And thanks for sharing that you got it on Hoopla! I’m sure others will be glad to know that!
What a sweet book. Perfect share with the beginning of a new school year. As mom’s our kids were never far from our thoughts when they were in school, playing sports, going to a first sleepover. Beautiful illustrations!
I know, Pat! Isn’t the art exquisite? So perfect for the story! And so true… our little ones are never far from our thoughts, even when they become our big ones 😊
Sounds like an amazing, heartfelt story. I can’t wait to read it. Congratulations, Rosanne!
It’s really lovely, Kim. I hope you’ll enjoy it!
COMMENT POSTED FOR SUE
I love the post – and the pinwheel activity! And welcome back!!
Thank you, Sue! And yes! The pinwheel activity is a fun one!
Aw, yes, and now that mind is 400 miles away at college, he’s on my mind while I write. And I’ll bet a certain grandchild is on yours. Love your rec, Susanna! And welcome back! Feels like a fresh Fall. I took off half the month of July and the whole month of August to spend time with my son before he left. Sniffle.
Sending you a hug, Jilanne ❤️ I know how hard it is when they fly away to college! He’ll be back at Thanksgiving to eat you out of house and home, though 😊 and in your heart always. As for my granddaughter, I’ve barely managed to tear myself away so I am lucky to see her quite a lot! 😊
This seems like a lovely book. I look forward to reading it. And what wonderful suggestions for other great picture books! Thanks to everyone.
So glad you like the week’s selection, Rose!
Hurray!!! It’s so good to have you back with PPBF, dear Susanna. Although I know you were ‘here’ with Tuesday debuts and your other posts, it’s always fun to join together here to share some favorite pbs.
And I love this one…and the pinwheel activity rocks!
You’re so sweet, Vivian! I’ve been pretty “away” all summer, due to my preoccupation with my new granddaughter 😊 so it feels good to be back. I’m glad you love this book, too, and the fun pinwheel activity!
Yay! So happy PPBF is back! I love the PB’s that are posted. It’s always fun to read and share! Thanks Susanna! 🙂
Looking forward to reading AND I THINK ABOUT YOU. It appears to be a heartwarming story!
So glad see you again too, Susan, and I’m thrilled that you enjoy all the PBs that get posted. I think you’ll like AND I THINK ABOUT YOU when you get a chance to read it!
Thank you!
I’m sure I will like this PB! 🙂
This is a wonderful book that will help both parents and kids realize even though they are apart physically, their love for each other remains all day.
It really is, Danielle. So sweet and reassuring!
What an endearing book. Teachers, parents, and librarians will enjoy it equally when reading it to children. It would make for a great jump off tool to a teaching unit.
Glad PPBF is back!
I think so, too! And I’m glad you’re glad PPBF is back 😊😊
Thanks for your email reply:)
Just a little FYI: What you do means so much and gives so much.
Cheers, Phyllis
I could’ve used this book to read to some of my students this week. What a lovely sounding story!
Maybe you’ll win it and be able to read it to them next week, Andrea 😊
Such a sweet story! And so perfect for this time of year!
It really is, Karan!
Oh this book looks great! Think my twins would love it! hope I win!
It’s a very sweet story, Zachary, I’m sure they would! They might also love The Three Canadian Pigs: A Hockey Story which was on Tuesday Debut this week 😊
I wish this book existed when my kids were little. I would have loved to express this sentiment to them over and over. Great idea.
It is a lovely idea, and I’m a little surprised that it hasn’t been done. Of course there’s THE KISSING HAND and LLAMA LLAMA MISSES MAMA and others like that, but this one so nicely shows the mother and child going through their day and thinking of each other!