When I Miss You

April 1, 2004
The latest entry in the Way I Feel Books series, When I Miss You by Cornelia Maude Spelman, illus. by Kathy Parkinson, aims to help reassure children with separation anxiety. "When you go out, I miss you. I want to show you something, but I can't. I wish you were with me!" Parkinson's illustrations star a pudgy, apprehensive rodent who eventually learns, "When I miss you, I know you'll be back!"

June 1, 2004
PreS-K-This picture book addresses the separation anxiety that most children experience in their early years. A young guinea pig expresses his feelings in a primal way: "I miss you when you have to go to work. I want you, but you're not there." Further along, he uses rationalizations that sound adult and out of character: "Everyone has things they need to do. Soon we'll see each other again." Parkinson's colorful, appealing paintings skillfully reflect the little animal's emotions as they change from sadness to anger to acceptance. Complete with a note to adults, the book serves its purpose of providing bibliotherapy, but with a rather didactic tone. Kathi Appelt's Oh My Baby, Little One (Harcourt, 2000) and Audrey Penn's The Kissing Hand (Child & Family, 1993) are much sweeter and better-written variations on the same theme.-Be Astengo, Alachua County Library, Gainesville, FL

Copyright 2004 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2004
PreS-K. In this picture book from the well-received the Way I Feel series, Spelman offers support for children with separation anxiety and, in a note to parents and teachers, practical advice for helping kids cope. A little guinea pig narrates, telling her parents how she feels and how she comforts herself when they leave her at day care or with a babysitter. She even mentions how unsettling a parent's business trip can be. While acknowledging anger and sadness ("Missing you is a heavy, achy feeling"), the text and illustrations show the little guinea pig moving beyond her initial despondency into play, laughter, and good times, including the happiness of being reunited. Few picture books deal with this common childhood trial in such a helpful way, acknowledging the emotions and providing reassurance. The lively illustrations feature lively line drawings washed with warm, glowing colors are drawn with a keen eye for the child's world. A good resource for parents and a natural choice for children who will take comfort in finding their emotions mirrored in a picture books.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2004
A young guinea pig describes how he feels whenever he's temporarily separated from one or both of his parents. Sometimes the narrator seems to be parroting adult ideas ("When I miss you, there are ways others can help me"), but overall the text is sensitive and reassuring. The gentle images of the pudgy, anthropomorphized animal cast seem influenced by Rosemary Wells.

(Copyright 2004 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)