From a new mother’s first moments with her infant to the seasoned perspective of a grandmother in the twilight of her life, McGhee triumphs in her tribute to the steadfast constancy of a mother’s love. With a stunning purity of unaffected language, McGhee examines the artless moments that herald the passage of time in a child’s life. From snowflakes falling on an unsuspecting infant’s upturned face to soaring high and self-propelled on a swing, McGhee’s simple text is full of the poignant emotions a parent feels as her child grows and embarks upon his or her own life’s path. Just as the simplicity of McGhee’s verse serves to underscore the vast depth of emotion expressed, Reynolds renders pen-and-ink watercolor illustrations in the same understated style. Subtle colors and small vignettes convey the intimate tone of the text and the hand lettering done by Reynolds further emphasizes the deeply personal elements of the tale. McGhee’s homage to the unbroken bond that connects mothers to their children is a gift to share across generations. (Picture book. All ages)
