Award-winning novelist Torrey Maldonado’s heartwarming picture book debut celebrates loving caregivers and highlights the powerful impact they can have on the life of a child.
Toby’s mom always says there are people that make you feel just right. And while his dad can be hard to please, it’s a different story with his amazing uncle. Uncle showers Toby with smiles, hugs, and kind words, and his garage is like a second home to Toby—there’s even a chair with Toby’s name on it next to Uncle’s desk! Yes, Toby can always count on Uncle to step up and make him feel just right.---from the publisher
32 pages 978-0593624968 Ages 4-7
Keywords: connections, relationships, dealing with feelings, dealing with emotions, kindness, comfort, reassurance, uncles, relatives, unconditional love, 4 year old, 5 year old, 6 year old, 7 year old, finding your people
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This has to be one of the most important books for children I've picked up in a long time.
Toby and his mom are out shopping for a gift for his father. In the store he spots a great pair of socks and that's the gift that he decides will be just right. But on the special day that Toby gives the socks to his dad, Dad doesn't light up. Dad doesn't look at his son with love. Dad basically dismisses the "heart" that is being handed to him.
The utterly essential question here is what does a child think when he/she/they does not get the love they need, want and deserve at a moment when in a normal situation that love would flow all over them? In that moment kids tend to think there is something lesser about them. If only they could be "good enough" then the love would come. The trust of self starts to shrink.
The glory of this book is that it gives us a chance to follow Toby through the city as he "feels" what isn't right and what is right. He does know when something isn't right. He really does and that means he CAN trust his own feelings. Sadly, that means Dad is not okay - especially for Toby.
How many of our children are waiting for that moment... that magical moment... when someone who is okay... shows up and understands exactly how to love a child.
EVERY counseling office needs a few copies of this one. A lot of families need this one too...maybe it has the power to work a miracle or two.
Recommended by: Barb Langridge, abookandahug.com
