You and Me, Together Board Book product reviews

This book came at the perfect time. My family is going through a very hard time at present and my youngest is a very emotional young thing and is finding it extremely difficult to deal with the loss. She has become extra clingy and so when I read this book to her I felt it really helped in a lot of areas. I lost my father just over a week ago and where as the whole family loved him my youngest absolutely dotted on him.

Reading the book it says 'mamma' but I changed the word to 'mummy' so that she could identify more with it. As I read it she pointed to the pictures and said 'that is me and you aye?' and we discussed that fact that I will always be there with her no matter what and how she will never ever be alone. I had to read it a couple of times until she decided she wanted to read it to me. During her 'story telling' she actually mentioned her grandad and how he died but how we will not forget him. Brought a tear to my eye but I was so happy that she got to express herself thru this book.

I have read this book numerous times since receiving it. She is having real troubles sleeping at the moment and I find this has calmed her down. Although she still ending up in our bed during the night I am sure she will come to beleive the words. This is such a powerful book and says so much is such a short span.

I personally am not a fan of the wishy washy pictures and would prefer sharp pictures but it works and my daughter loves looking at the kite and the hot air balloon. She has decided it is 'our' book and her eldest sister has not been allowed to see it yet. I am so thankful that I received it when it was most needed - thank you KIWIreviews and scholastic. As it is probably meant for Mothers Day I am sure all mothers out there will get something out of it as well.

Anna Pignataro's 'You and Me Together' is one of the lovely books available in time for Mother's Day this year. It is a perfect time to stop and appreciate the relationship between children and their Mums and books are a great way to make this happen.

When reading the book, I thought back to my childhood and reminisced about the feelings I had with my own mother and the type of feelings and relationship I want my children to have with me. This is a book of love between a mother and a child and the knowledge for a child that Mummy will always be there. It involves a simple question and answer conversation between a mother and a child. The illustrations and storyline remind me of spending time on the farm with my own mother, picking berries, working and playing. The illustrations are beautifully sketched and prepared in watercolour. Gentle, earthy colours have been used thought the book. The images of the teddy bears are adorable and uncomplicated.

As I read the book to Mr 5 and Miss 3, they were totally silent and engrossed in the book. After reading it, we discussed ways in which we could always be together. We talked about the fact that we won't ALWAYS be right beside each other or even in the same country. Mr 5 worked out that even if we aren't actually together, we would always take memories of each other with us. I wear a necklace around my neck with a photo of the children and Mr 5 pointed to it and said that they will always be with me. The book gave a chance for us to have this discussion.

The book is a sturdy, well-made, board book. This would make it perfect for even very young children. Young children can take the story at face value, however older children (such as Mr 5) can get into slightly more meaningful and detailed discussions as a result.