"The room was filled with all sorts of interesting
things. An old tricycle, a train set, two monkeys
made out of coconuts, a tuba with a gold tassel and
a stuffed panda with a missing ear.
And everywhere Xavier looked, there were boxes
and boxes and boxes stacked on top of one another."
Xavier, his mother and his cat Comet have a job to do. The funeral is over and it is time for them to go up into the attic at Nana's house. Xavier is a tad apprehensive about the monsters that might be there. His mother reassures that he need not worry. 'No dragons either'.
There are some impressive objects in the room; and the boxes are endless. His mother explains that it is her job to clean the attic, and asks if Xavier would like to help. The reminder that Nana has died makes him sad. His mother promises that stories will keep her in their hearts.
"Xavier went to the dresser and drew a heart in the dust.
"Do stories hide in boxes?"
"I believe they might." Xavier's mother smiled. "Shall we try
to find them?""
As they work together, they find treasures galore. There are many surprises, and each inspires a new story. A soft green cloth found in one of the boxes demands an explanation. His mother tells Xavier it is 'the green baby swing'. Xavier doesn't understand. As his mother holds it close, it inspires her to share a song about this special swing that doesn't look like a swing. The song explains how the cloth cradles a baby when worn properly.
That swing held Xavier's mother when she was a baby, and Xavier himself when he was tiny and in need of comfort and protection. Mama shows him how to use it to cradle Comet; they sing their song again. Comet loves it! Their day is spent sorting and discovering treasure after treasure. At the end of the day, they are spent and ready for a long sleep. Mama promises to tell him the full story of the swing and its song in the morning. Xavier is determined that the three of them will find comfort in sharing the warm green baby swing as they sleep. After singing the song once more, the three settle in for the night.
Listeners will be happy to sing along as the sweet song is repeated. The charming watercolor and pencil illustrations bring the warmth of the baby swing and its lasting memories to full life. The many wonderful details in the artwork are as comforting as the soft swing itself.
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