Will You Carry Me?

by Heleen Van Rossum, Peter van Harmelen (Illustrator)

Thomas has been playing in the park all morning, and now it's time to go home. But Thomas is very, very tired. He's much too tired to walk. Luckily, Mommy is very, very clever

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2005

About the author

I was born in Utrecht, the Netherlands, where I started writing my first books at seven. They never got further than the first chapter. I picked up writing again in 1997. In the meantime I studied history and archive studies, moved to England and the United States, worked, taught, and had two children, who were the inspiration for my picture books when they were younger.


When I am not writing I work as an archivist and researcher. I live with my family in New Jersey.

Reviews

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book about how a mother creatively gets her tired son to walk home all the way from the park. Thomas has had a full day of playing at the park and when it's time to go home he asks his mom to carry him. She plays a series of games that include jumping, "swimming", and "flying" home. And before he knows it, tired Thomas is home.

Great illustrations.

[Mh Weyler]

This reminds me of my childhood. Rather than carrying her son home from the park, the creative mom comes up with alternatives that make going home fun. Flap those eagle wings!

[Preloved reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars for the color but 1 star for the story, this books I s giving me aesthetic parenting always trying to get away with responsibility by making it sound creative, as an Asian I know how tough love is and you should pick yourself up cause parents isn't around forever thing but this isn't that kind of thing, why ask your kid to jump,run or fly when they're too tired already😒are you going to kill your child?

Literal or metaphorical it is it's an excuse, sometimes building a person also includes letting know they can rest too if they're too exhausted, it's a person not a robot😒

It's giving me Willoughby and Glass Castle energy💆parents shouldn't have kids if they can't or if they're not ready for responsibility😒 won't let any kid read this just to gaslight their perception😒

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very mixed feelings. I love the idea. "If you're too tired to walk, let's fly!" and they pretend to swoop, flap, and soar. Etc. But there's a lot of weird things in the background, including a little boy dressed up as an "Indian" that is completely disrespectful. Play the game with your little ones, but skip the book.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book about ten years ago -- before I became a mommy, or even knew that I was becoming a mommy -- because I saw the artwork featured in an exhibition of children's book illustrations. I wasn't disappointed in the story then; in fact, I donated the book to the library where I was working as a children's librarian. Fast-forward ten years, and my own son picked this book out (on his own) from another library. And it is still good.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books that you should share with your kids every few months or so, both for them and for you. I wish I remembered this book and its ideas more often.

Elizabeth has decided that she needs a copy of this book, she loves it so much!

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was also a great motivator for being a better mom. You can take ordinary activities, like walking home, and make them into something fun. The only reason I gave this book 4 stars is because I didn't like the illustrations as well.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have absolutely loved this book since I was young. I haven't seen it in forever and the other day it was donated to the library so I read it again. Still as cute and fun as it used to be. If you have little kids I recommend this book.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Corbin enjoyed this story because he was able to relate to the little boy in the story wanting to be picked up. It has great strategies for mom too. Cute.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is cute, and the illustrations are beautiful. Plus is is super affordable!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Engaging colors, humorous artistry. Creative premise, yet every parent can relate. However the mother/child lack illustrative charm and the prose is drab which makes for a halfway enjoyable book.

[Dianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

My two-year-old loved this one. This was the first time in a long time that a new book held her attention.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute book about the creative abilities of mothers with toddlers.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 2 y.o. daughter really liked this one.