I Will Keep You Safe and Sound

by Lori Haskins Houran

Parents reassure young ones they are safe from harm in this loving, lilting lullaby.

"Brown bears in the den
While the first buds peep.
Rabbits in the field
While the crickets cheep
Robins in the nest
As the rain pours down
I will keep you safe and sound."

Through storms, snow, wind, and waves, every child will feel safe and sound in the warm embrace of a loving parent.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Storytime, Family

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2013

Reviews

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

With soft illustrations and gentle rhymes with a reassuring refrain, this should be a good bedtime book.

[babyhippoface · Rating 4 out of 5]

Animal parents communicate their love for their offspring on each spread of this gentle rhyming book. The illustrations of the animal pairs are adorable. This is just perfect for bedtime reading with toddlers.

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gentle story for parents and children, would make a great story for bedtime.

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

My grandchildren, ages 3 and under, love this reassuring picture book. The text, just two lines per double page spread, rhymes with the next page's text. Every third page includes the refrain "I will keep you safe and sound" which rhymes with the two lines of text on that page. The refrain is italicized which serves as a cue, when pointed to, for your little one to "read" the phrase.

Animals pictured include a mother bear and her cub, a mother hare and two kits, a robin and three nestlings, an alligator and a hatchling, a squirrel and two babies, a dolphin and its pup, a beaver family, a horse and its foal, and a cat and four kittens. Children can find and name other wildlife in the end papers and small vignette illustrations on the pages with text.

[La Haynes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soooo CUTE! Perfect book for your little ones while snuggling them close. Love and protection from parent to children, as it should be. Repetition reenforces the theme.

Adorable, softly drawn animals (using colored pencils, I think),good facial expressions and emotions, lovely colors, realistic habitat settings. Sending a copy to my son’s family.

Nice story
#LoriHaskinsHouran. I wish this loving relationship for every child.

Wonderful job!, #PetraBrownIllusrator
#PetraBrown

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mothers are certainly a cozy, sweet shelter!

Ages: 2 - 4

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[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet, gentle, loving book with the perfect illustrations to match.

[MQR · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the sweet simple poetry; and the soft, yet detailed pastel and watercolor illustrations really bring this book to life.

[Ian McHugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely, simple, gentle bedtime story. A little suspense in the story too. Caused genuine (mild) apprehension with my little one. Luckily all resolved on the next page.

[Clarissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and who can resist lost kittens? Not me!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The constant affection of parents for their animal offspring is described through rhyming text and evocative lines that reassure readers. Even when it's raining or the waves or pounding or someone is lost in the dark, the adults promise to "keep you safe and sound" (unpaged). Not only does the text leave readers feeling warm, safe, and cherished, but the watercolor, gouache, and brown pencil illustrations feature animals, including bears, robins, gators, dolphins, beavers, and cats in different habitats. The blissful look on the faces of the little ones tugs at the heart strings.

[Kate McGinty aka Caryn Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page after page of loving animal parents caring for their offspring through difficulties such as rain, heat, a long winter, and the threat of predators. A simple, lilting rhyme accompanies the soft, beautifully-rendered illustrations. A pleasure to read aloud, this one is perfect for right before bed, during thunderstorms, or any other time when children may wish for cuddles and reassurance. The love radiating off the pages should leave little ones and adults alike with a safe, warm, cozy feeling. Highly recommended.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. It could be easily adapted into a song. It had a nice predictable nature. I would read it in the Spring to show how animals take care of their babies. I would talk about how parents take care of their families and ask them for some ways that their parents take care of them.

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/bo...
Interest Level
Grades PreK - K
Reading Level
Grade level Equivalent: 3
Lexile® Measure: AD680L
DRA: 16
Guided Reading: J
Genre
Bedtime Stories
Theme/Subject
Animal Babies and Parents
Love

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sweet book to read with young children. My son particularly loved the last few pages where you thought, for just a second, that the adorable striped kitten didn't have anyone to keep him "safe and sound". Then the touching illustration of the mama cat finding him and returning him to the family snuggle time just melts your heart, especially if you are a cat lover.

[Marilyn Olson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Glimpses of animal babies and their parents are given with the animals in their natural habitats. The narrative is essentially a poem with watercolor illustrations. The last animal is a lost kitten who is found and brought back to its family. This book is all about the message that parents are to take care of their children and protect them. This is sweet, but additional.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little ones will enjoy reading about how their loved ones always keep them safe and sound, even if they might get lost. Soft watercolor illustrations detail how all Mommies keep their little ones safe and the expressions on each of the animals help to paint a peaceful feel to the book.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gentle, reassuring book about baby animals being lovingly protected in a variety of environments will be a lyrical way to compare animal homes for the preschool set. Soft watercolor illustrations accompany the rhyming text, always returning to the promise to keep the young one safe and sound.

[Lupine · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for tender, this one's it. A nice, quiet reassuring book for toddlers and early PK. Pair with "Mama Always Comes Home" by Wilson.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely illustrated story of mothers and their babies in safe, cozy homes as rough weather or predatory animals lurk outside. The illustrations are quite whimsical, but sturdy and warm.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and comforting. Great for a calming bedtime.

[SerenaBeReading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mama animals reassure their little ones that they will keep them safe. Cute read.