Title: Teddy, Let’s Go!
Author: Michelle Nott
Illustrator: Nahid Kazemi
Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books, Dec. 6th 2022
Ages: 3-6
Format/Genre: fiction
Themes: grandmas, teddies, childhood companions, siblings, growing up, connection,
Opening:
The wavy-haired woman with love in her eyes pulled me close and whispered in my ear.
Synopsis:
Teddy and My are made for each other—literally in the case of Teddy, a teddy bear lovingly stitched and stuffed by Grandma for the newborn baby. From eating mushy vegetables to playing with blocks, Teddy is there every step of the way as My grows older. Even as the little girl goes to school and makes new friends, she can always count on Teddy for playtime, comfort, and friendship.
As she leaves early childhood behind, My comes to rely on Teddy less and less. But Teddy still has an important role to play in My’s life. In an act of welcome and tremendous love, My decides to give Teddy to her newborn baby brother, who needs Teddy just as much now as she once did. (publisher)
Why I like this Book:
Our early stuffies are so super important to us. Any caregiver or child will tell you this if ever they get mislaid! This is a beautifully illustrated picture book about growing up and a child’s relationship with both their beloved teddy bear, AND they new baby sibling.
The author’s choice to create the Teddy as the narrator of the story is tasteful, and adds such tenderness to the story arc as Teddy emanates empathy towards their person throughout the inevitable change of the relationship as little My grows and evolves. I think children will adore the arc of the child’s evolution with a best stuffy, through all the firsts of trying new foods, school etc, to the arrival of a baby brother.
I hadn’t read anything about this book before I first read it, and I thought I knew exactly where this story was going, well Michelle Nott’s craft is so good that the ending truly surprised me, even though the themes are as old as we are for children’s books.
It is a precious, enduring story and the dreamy, soft illustrations in pastels capture the heart of the text beautifully. I highly recommend this picture book.
I know very few young children that don’t like talking to me about their stuffed animals.
If you missed it, please enjoy the interview I did with the author this week.
Each week a group of bloggers reviews picture books we feel would make great educational reads. To help teachers, caregivers and parents, we have included resources and/or activities with each of our reviews. A complete list of the thousands of books we have reviewed can be found sorted alphabetically and by topics, here on Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.