If I Could Keep You Little: A Baby Book About a Parent's Love

by Marianne Richmond

If I Could Keep You Little speaks straight to every parent's heart, exploring the powerful feeling of wanting your child to grow up while savoring every moment. A new favorite, this book showcases Marianne's ability to beautifully illustrate the complex emotions we all have:

If I could keep you little,
I'd keep you close to me.
But then I'd miss you growing
into who you're meant to be!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Family, Poetry, Fiction, Kids, Love

24 pages, Board Book

First published August 1, 2010

About the author

Author and artist Marianne Richmond has touched the lives of millions through her bestselling children's books that help people share their heart and connect with those they love. With 70+ books and 9 million copies sold, Richmond writes for the “unique everybody.” “Our stories are different AND our feelings are a lot the same,” says Marianne. "My hope is that my work is a bridge to the message of your own heart!"

Reviews

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart is melting. My whole being is melting. I will say the same to my kid. So good💌 The illustration is amazing! The lines rhyme! And yes, every mom can relate to this. My future kid, wait. Okay?

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"If I could keep you little, I'd keep you close to me.
But then I'd miss you growing into who you're meant to be!"

Such a sweet and touching book about how bittersweet it is to see your little ones growing up. As a parent, you want to keep your baby little, but you also want to see them grow and become their own person... that's what this book is all about, that feeling of being torn between the two.

This is one of those books that gets me emotional every single time, especially that line up above there. I usually have to stop and compose myself before reading that last page. This is definitely a favorite and one I'll be adding to Caleb's shelves soon. I think all parents will be able to relate to this one!

"If I could keep you little, I'd tell you stories every night.
But then I'd miss you reading the words you've learned by sight."

[Lin · Rating 1 out of 5]

The words do not flow.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe a little better for the parents reading to their kids than for the kids themselves!

[Theo Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes Mama emotional every time 🥹 10/10

[Carly Gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was adorable. I want to buy it for my own personal library when I have children of my own. It's a good book for parents to read to show children that even thought they want them to be their little baby forever, they are proud of all the big boy/girl things they are doing now.

[Janey Merry · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s no secret I have loved Marianne Richmond' books since I picked out my baby’s first Christmas present, “You Are My Merry”. (I was drawn to it, because of our last name .) Our collection of her books has only grown since then, especially when Source Books Kids sent me a set of three when I won their contest.

“If I Could Keep You Little”—Marianne got me right in the feels with this book! I don’t know of a parent who hasn’t had the thought creep into his/her mind: “My baby is growing up too fast! I wish time would stop! That way my baby could always be my baby.” But that is a selfish wish. As a parent, even though we love our children more than anything in the world and want to keep them safe FOREVER....it wouldn’t lead to a happy, fulfilling life for our little one. We must give them the best chance to grow and become independent. And the best part? We have a front-row seat to watch them on their journey.

[Claire Holloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a bittersweet book about parents' thoughts about wanting to keep their child young forever but then also what they would miss if they did not grow up and stayed little. Although I am not a parent, this book resinated with me as I've watched my much younger siblings grow up; when they were little I couldn't wait for them to grow up so I could do more with them and teach them new things, but, on the other hand, I miss them when they were little.
From a child's perspective, they may be looking forward to growing up and looking at all the things they can do when they are older. This book could be used to develop children's understanding of empathy and other people's feelings, such as being able to see it from a parent's point of view of why they want them 'to stay little'.

[Ali Book&Seaglasshunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Mama heart in a book-this book perfectly encapsulates my feelings on watching my little ones grow. With so many endearing milestones in the early years of childhood, it can be hard to think of leaving that all behind and watching your children grow older. But there are so many joyous moments that lie ahead, that all would be missed if we could keep them little. This sentimental picture book will touch the hearts of parents and it could be a beloved read aloud. Children may not understand why you tear up at the end-it is certainly a book that will resonate more with parents than children, but could lead to many wonderful conversations about the love between parent and child.

[Tweller83 · Rating 5 out of 5]

7/25/21 - This is so perfect. I would love to keep my grandchild little, but every week she amazes me with her new knowledge and ability to do things. She is so amazing (what grandmother doesn't think this about their own grandchild??) and I can't wait to see what she will do next, yet I do want to wait. This is so push/pull in our feelings but I wouldn't change it for anything. This book has good illustrations but the thoughts are what make this book stand out. Will be looking for this one to add to our library.

[Audrey's Picture Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure what to make of this book. Frankly, it reads like a social story for parents more than as a book for young children. If it helps those parents remember to let their children stand on their own feet and learn independence, I'm all for it. A lot of parents really struggle with that. However, I question how much it would appeal to children--who are, after all, the stated audience of the book.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet book for parents and children about growing up. Not 5 stars - I think the rhymes are a bit clunky and forced at times - but still a good one. I really liked the variety of little/small moments that the parents reflected on. 3.5-4 stars.

Not a storytime read, really - it's just too personal - but a good one for parents to read to their children or to gift to celebrate mothers/fathers/step-parents days.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, the push-pull that goes on inside a parent, when we would like to keep our children little, yet we know that it is best for them to grow! It's a good thing that I read this book by myself first, because I started crying! I hope that I will be able to keep myself together, when I read it with my son.

"If I Could Keep You Little" is a wonderful story, and has darling illustrations.

[Terilyn Bufkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so sweet and emotional for me. I don't want my little baby girl to grow up and I wish I could keep her little forever! The lesson could be to cherish each moment because time goes by fast.

[linfanli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really nice story

This book are really nice. Every child is a angle. We need keep the limit time to be with them. When someday the children grow up, they will chase with there own life.

[Danielle Mootz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great little story especially for parents. We are constantly noting the things are children are growing out of but what a cute concept to point out all the things we'd be missing. Very sweet.

[Christine (Tina) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is adorable & kept baby's attention. Message in it, though, reminds us that little one's grow up so fast...and, we shouldn't want to stop them from growing because we'd miss all the other wonderful things they will do & experience as they grow.

[Brandy Burbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy this book as a parent. So many parents want to keep their children little forever but this book can help you understand why its okay to let them go a little bit. When you want to stop them from growing you would miss out on all the different parts that are great about growing up.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this with my son who's a senior in high school, and it was a happy reminder that although I miss him being little in ways, the joys of seeing him grow and mature have been an immense blessing in their own right. Kids can fly on airplanes at any age or size, though.

[Heather Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

megan summer reading 2017, lily summer reading 2017, childrens book, picture book, love, family, mothers, children, prek, toddler book, kindergarten

[Ande · Rating 5 out of 5]

love the pictures of the content of this sweet book. I want to buy it and give it to each of my kids when they graduate HS :)

[Mely · Rating 3 out of 5]

endearing message, however, I still think it's just an average book.

[Ethan & Isaac · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm confused. Am I supposed to grow up or stay small?

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Board Book
Perhaps more for parents than children but a lovely message about how much they'll learn and grow as they grow up.

[Janie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have read this so so so many time to my grandson. He asks for it again.

[Samantha Sturm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Book

This was a great read at a time in our lives when our oldest is becoming more and more independent.

[Amanda Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can't go wrong with any Marianne Richmond book, but this one is my favorite.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super sweet book with good perspective!

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I totally made a preschool story time mom cry with this one. If you are a parent it will just rip your heart right out, but it is so sweet!

[Liam's Mama · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didnt like this one actually.