In the faraway place where Mommy
is working, snow falls from the sky.
Out the window of our house, rain
pours down.
She tells me that rain is loud and
snow is quiet but both are made
of water.
I squeeze my eyes shut and listen."
Monday begins with a kiss from Mommy and a wish for a good morning. When they get to the kitchen, Mama is getting the table ready, and Mommy is in charge of pancakes. They have breakfast before Mommy leaves for a weeklong business trip. Mama and her little one enjoy normal activities for the rest of the day. Tuesday at school, the children talk about the things they miss, including Mommy, a sister, a papa, and a cat. At night the two talk with Mommy, as they will do while she is away.
The week moves slowly forward, with calls to show how much Mommy is missed. Hugs over the phone are fine, but not nearly the same as the real ones. Being not in the middle is unsettling. Errands get done on Thursday, but the missing gets bigger.
"I miss Mommy. I miss her as deep
as a scuba diver down in the ocean
and as high as an astronaut up in the stars."
As Friday rolls around, our narrator whispers a plan to her Mama. On Saturday, while they do their weekly chores, the idea continues to evolve. It will a wonderful surprise! Finally, it's Sunday and it is time to get ready. Mommy's coming home! The emotions spring fully to the surface. When the sadness and crying are done, the little one is back in her perfect spot - Mama and Mommy and me in the middle once again.
This debut picture book for Nina LaCour is written with heart and real emotion. The careful attention to every detail in the mixed media illustrations adds depth to both characters and setting. Readers will want to return to this book. Each time they will find more fine details in the facial expressions, the setting, the characters, and the events of a long week. Feelings of love and loss are expressed equally well in text and artwork, making this a terrific read aloud.
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