Don't Forget I Love You

by Miriam Moss, Anna Currey (Illustrator)

It’s another busy morning. Mama is hurrying to get Billy to school and make it to work on time. With Billy dawdling and fussing over his stuffed rabbit, it seems they might never get there. And when they finally do arrive at school, Mama rushes off, forgetting two really crucial things!

The familiar frenzy of getting ready is warmly portrayed in this comforting tale. The affirmative ending will reassure children that no matter how busy parents are, they always remember what’s most important.

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

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Miriam is an award winning author of 75 children's books, both information books and fiction. Her fiction includes picture books, novelty books and poetry, and recently short stories for the adult market. Her books have been translated into over 20 languages.

Miriam has had wide experience of working creatively both with children in schools and libraries, and with adults. She offers lively, innovative large group performances, talks, interactive storytelling sessions, readings, seminars, creative writing and poetry workshops.

She was born in England but also grew up in Africa, The Middle East and China. She taught English for eight years in the UK and Kenya before becoming a writer. She now lives in East Sussex.

Reviews

[Jocelin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet little reminder that the things we sometimes take for granted; mean the most to those around us.

[Adeline Arpin · Rating 2 out of 5]

When a mother tries to get her son to get ready for school, all he wants to do is make sure his stuffed animal Rabbit is getting ready for school too. The mother is upset with her son because he keeps making them more and more late for school with his focus completely on his rabbit stuffed animal. After his mother drops him off at school and leaves, she realizes she forgot to say the most important words she always says when she drops her son off and rushes back to school.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this sweet story! It's about a boy and his mom and how they were running late. She ends up dropping him off at school and runs out the door without saying I love you. And then comes back to remind him that she loves him. This is a great book to read to any child to remind them that they are loved even on a rushed days.

[Izabella Podgorski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Modern Fantasy
PreK-1 Grade Reading Level

I think this book has more in it for adults than kids. It’s a really wonderful wake up call, and made me think about what an impact my words can have on someone else. I think kids would really relate to this book, and it could be a great tool for using to help kids understand how important they are!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy Fiction
Pre-k - kindergarten
This book was very cute. The illustrations are very soft and comforting and the plot line is very cute and easy to follow. It has a good moral and is a good quick read.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

They're running a little late and Billy is distracted as they get ready for school/work. This is something most kids & moms will relate to, but it's nothing outstanding, just solid.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great for preschoolers and any child that dawdles.

[Thomas Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, but even though that bear is young he needs to learn to be less codependent.

[Rolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, simple story about the simple little gestures that show love.

[Jessica RiffeKincaid · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that was a really sweet and caring story. My little girl really enjoyed me reading it to her as much as I enjoyed reading it myself. The little baby bear in this story always had a pet stuffed rabbit that he kept with him at all times. He never allowed the toy to leave his side, even while sleeping at night. That morning as he was getting ready for daycare and his mother was going to work there was a storm raging outside. So, in preparation for the weather the mother and son dressed appropriately and left to take him to daycare. On the way there he accidentally dropped his rabbit, whom always accompanied him to daycare, on the ground, so his mother in haste grabbed up the stuffed toy because they were running late, him for daycare and her for work. After having arrived at daycare the mother left in a hurry causing her son to be upset and the first thing he noticed was that he did'nt have rabbit. The daycare worker tried to hush his cries and soothe his tears with positive thinking that his mother was just late for work and did'nt want to get into trouble but that she still loved him. Just as the little bear boy thought that his mother had forgotten him, the door to the daycare blew open with a gust of wind from the storm and this brought fear into the little man's soul, until with the storm came a soaking figure. It was his mother! She rushed over to him and handed him his stuffed rabbit, telling him "Don't forget I love you!," and she hugged him and showered him with kisses. I believed this was a wonderful heart-filled story to tell to any mother's child, just so they remember how much they are loved.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, Mama is trying to get Billy to school on time. Billy, however, as most little boys are, is very distracted and does not get ready quickly. He tends to his stuffed rabbit before anything else. It is obvious Mama is a little frustrated, trying to hurry Billy along. Rabbit always seems to need Billy's attention. Mama and Billy run through the rain and get to Billy's school a little late. Mama leaves in a hurry to get to work. This makes Billy upset because she didn't tell him she loved him. She also accidentally took Rabbit with her. Billy begins to cry and his teacher cannot console him. Suddenly, Mama bursts through the door to give Rabbit back to Billy. But most importantly, she remembers to tell Billy "I love you". This book is an easy read for young children. It tells the very important message of remembering what's really important, even when life is really busy.

This book has really beautiful, painted-looking illustrations. Billy and Mama are adorable bears. The colors are soft and calming. The scheme is more on the warm side, drawing out feelings of comfort. There are no sharp lines, making this book very inviting. There is a good balance of text and pictures, both working together to tell the story. There also are not too many words on each page, keeping the story moving along for the little ones. A relatable story, I think this book would captivated early readers.

[Bonnie Ferrante · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Billy bear who lives with his mother. He loves his toy stuffed Rabbit so much he does everything with it. He lives with his Mama patiently coax the same to hurry in the morning, washes pars, it is breakfast, get dressed, brush his teeth, and put on his boots and coat. But on the way to nursery school, Billy spills his lunch and they arrived late. Mama drops Billy off and rushes off to work. Heartbroken Billy realizes two things. He can’t find his toy Rabbits and his Mama didn’t say “I love you,” which she always says. Suddenly Mama returns with Rabbit, a hug, and the perfect words,” I forgot to say I love you.”

Working mothers will love this story. It reminds us that we need to be patient with our little ones no matter how hectic our own lives and that the most important thing to our children is our love. As long as a child knows he is loved, he can handle almost anything. Rituals help a child feel secure and nothing is more important than the ritual of saying goodbye in a consistent, reassuring way.

The illustrations by Anna Currey, are in ink and watercolor. They are as soft and warm as the bears themselves.

Highly recommended.

Find more picture book reviews at http://bferrante.wordpress.com/

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a perfect book to read to your little one to reassure them that even though one of their parents isn't around them that they are loved. But it's also a very sweet reminder to us parents (or grandparents) to slow down even if we are 'late' and let the little guys know that we love them. I've 'tagged' this as a Mother's Day book even though it technically isn't one. But it shows the love of a Mama and her baby child.

In the story the bear wants to have his stuffed Rabbit do things with him, and so slows him down getting around for school. Mama bear is getting impatient with her little guy but she still stays being a good Mama... even when the little bear drops his lunch box and it opens up in the pouring down rain. So she takes Rabbit and puts him in her purse to help Little Bear out. And she sends him into the classroom and she hurries off. Little Bear starts to be sad because she forgot to say "I Love You" so the teacher reminds him that she still does love him but she was just late for work and to get Rabbit because he reminds him of Mama. But Rabbit isn't there either. BUT Mama comes back with Rabbit and with a big hug. Making the day for both of them.

[Mattie Troyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again another cute love story between a mother and child. This book was enjoyable because it kind of relates to real life. Even when you are busy, you still need to make time and remember to tell those you love that you love them. In this book a little bear was frustrating his mom because he was dragging his feet in the morning making the mom bear late to work. She took his favorite stuffed toy away to make the little bear hurry up and then forgot to give it back and say I love you once they arrived at daycare. This made the little bear very upset, he thought his mom did not love him that day. But she came back in a hurry to remind her son that she loved him and give him his stuffed toy that she forgot she had. I enjoyed this book but I think the author could have added a few more details to make it even better. It was a very cute read, but I do not have interest in reading it again.

[Alexandra Burkholder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kindergarten to 2nd grade
Genre: realistic fiction
First, I would like to point out the artwork in this book. It is probably my favorite type of artwork; the way the illustrator drew the pictures made the book feel nostalgic and warm. The story was very cute. It was about a mama and baby running late to school, all because of the baby's stuffed animal. There is a good moral lesson in this book, and it is never to forget to tell your loved ones you love them when you part ways. Also, to always listen to your mom!

[Danielle Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shows children the strength and unconditonality of a mother's love. It shows that the small things can make all the difference in a child's life. Doing these small things can make parents, like mother bear, heroes in the eyes of their children. Great story and lesson for children as well as parents.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

We're sucker for good bear stories. This one is very cute and quite relatable- Mama bear is in a hurry to get to work on time and little bear is dawdling. When she finally drops him off at nursery school she forgets to say "I love you" when she leaves.

[kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picture Book, Mother and Child, Bears

After spending too much time playing with his favorite toy, Billy and his mother are very late for nursery school and his mother forgets some crucial things as she rushes to work.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 1 out of 5]

I felt like this book was more directed at parents: don't get annoyed with your children when they're slow, don't get so preoccupied with yourself when you're running late (because of them) and don't ever forget to say "I love you."

Ages: 3 - 6

[Beck · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a soft spot for animals with stuffed animals, and I like the way Billy Bear relates to his Rabbit.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

a new bedtime favorite. Maybe because it very closely resembles our mornings.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shared with my 3-year old grandson (who gave it 5 stars)! This is a sweet book with a message for both children and parents with beautiful watercolor style illustrations!

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Billy is upset when his mom leaves him at school without telling him that she loves him.

[Michelle Farella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute and heartwarming :-)

[Abbey Gross · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great read a loud book because it displays the magic of general knowledge of love and caring for one another. The book flows week and the illustrations are very vibrant