You're Strong with Me

by Chitra Soundar, Poonam Mistry (Illustrator)

The rain clouds are long gone and the dry season scorches the land. Everything is new for the baby giraffe. As she bounds ahead and lags behind, her mother patiently explains the ways of the grasslands. And until she grows a little taller, older, and wiser, her mother reminds her: "You're strong with me." From the makers of You're Safe With Me and the Kirkus Best Picture Book of the Year You're Snug With Me.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Nature, Family, Childrens, Fiction, Art

32 pages, ebook

First published September 12, 2019

About the author

Chitra Soundar is originally from the culturally colourful India where traditions, festivals and mythology are a way of life. After six great years in the island city-state Singapore, Chitra now lives in London.

Chitra's primary interest is in writing picture books and early & emergent readers. She enjoys retelling funny folktales from around the world, especially from India.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with the others in the series, the artwork is gorgeous. The message of the mother being strong for her baby until the baby is strong enough to be on its own is reassuring and very sweet. Do note that there is a wildfire in the story which, while shown to be ultimately positive in bringing rain and new grass, frightens the little giraffe. There's a two-page spread with lots of black smoke and flames and, while beautiful, could also be frightening for children who are scared of fires.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

British author/illustrator team Chitra Soundar and Poonam Mistry, who previously collaborated on the gorgeous You're Safe With Me and You're Snug with Me , return to the form in this third wonderful picture-book. In Soundar's gentle text, a young giraffe is guided through the dangers of the savannah's dry season by her caring mother, who continually reassures here with the statement that "you're strong with me." Mistry's accompanying artwork, done in ink in intricate Indian folk style, depicts each scene, from the brush fire to the creek, in a stylized way...

Every bit as gorgeous as its predecessors, with an engaging and reassuring text, You're Strong With Me would make a lovely bedtime book, offering children an example, through the baby giraffe and her mother, of the constancy of parental care and love. The artwork is simply breathtaking, with such intricate patterns, and begs to be pored over again and again. I particularly loved the mandala-style depiction of the fire, and appreciated the subtle changes in color - bluish-green being used for the creek, for instance - throughout. I am glad to see that Poonam Mistry has recently come out with her own book, How the Stars Came To Be , which I certainly hope to track down. Recommended to any reader who has enjoyed other books by this pair, and to anyone who appreciates gorgeous folk-style illustration.

[Sirah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baby giraffe is still very little, but no matter what mysteries await, mama giraffe is there to offer guidance and strength.

The story itself is simple, and while I think I'd enjoy it well enough on its own, it's really the artwork that makes this book the incredible work that it is. I mean, just look at it! Every page is filled with exquisite art in brilliant colors and patterns. Sometimes it was hard to even find the text in all that glorious geometry, but I don't mind a bit.

[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow what a lovely book! I thought it was particularly relevant given the bush fires in Australia and I loved the way it was told through the giraffes perspective and how the mother really protected her own. The illustration are just mind blowing.

[Shani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the art and message of the story. Always beautifully written and drawn.

[KC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Third in a series. Stunning art work.

[Lourdes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely adorable! Also, the illustrations are a wonder!

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Striking illustrations in African and Indian folk art traditions.

[Tessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ten star illustration.
3.5 star story.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Created with ink on paper and then digitally embellished, the artwork here is striking, bringing to mind folk art and traditional Indian art work. Several pages left me staring in amazement because of the details and rich colors. Readers familiar with the previous two picture books by this creative team--You're Safe with Me and You're Snug with Me--will recognize the careful word choice and movement found in the text and images as a young giraffe explores its world. The author pays attention to detail, making sure she names the trees and species that the giraffe encounters. And she also makes sure that Mama is nearby, providing advice, guidance, and encouragement. I appreciated the comments she makes about how the baby can manage to drink from a nearby creek even while she's keeping watch for possible danger since the little one is vulnerable when stretched down that way. Although there are a few pages in which the white text gets lost amid the details of the illustrations, it doesn't take much effort to find them and correct one's reading path. Even though it isn't always stated directly, the idea of the baby giraffe being stronger because it has its mother's support is threaded throughout the story, making it an excellent title for sharing with little ones to reassure them.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baby Giraffe is worried about many things, the oxpecker that lands on her back, the fire in the distance, the sounds of the grassland, and drinking from the creek. But her mother explains that the birds eat the itch bugs on her coat, the fire allows new fresh grass to grow, and how to spread her legs to reach the creek far below, because, as mother says "You're strong with me."

Chitra Soundar's folktale inspired story is illustrated with traditional Indian patterns by Poonam Mistry. Assuring and hopeful, full of the questions of a child and loving care from her mother, I will share this beautiful, quiet and personal bedtime story with my grandchildren. A wonderful companion to "You're safe with Me"

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

The baby giraffe in this series of books is brave. And learning well. But life still presents many dangers.

Always, Mother is there to help. For example:

The baby giraffe fidgeted
when the oxpecker flew
onto her back.

"Stay still," said
Mama Giraffe.

"But it hurts!"

"As you grow
older, your coat
will get thicker
and this will
just be a tickle.
Until then, you're strong with me."

WHAT AN ENCOURAGING STORY OF GROWING UP

Of course, this book deserves FIVE STARS, in the opinion of this reviewer.

* Eloquent, yet non-gushy, narrative from Chitra Spoundar.

* Plus, highly original illustrations by Poonam Mistry. These remind me a little of Kalamkari fabric I have seen. I don't know much about what Ms. Mistry has done, but I do know that I like it. A lot.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third in this visually stunning series of animal stories by Chitra Soundar and illustrated by Poonam Mistry.

In this story, Mama Giraffe reassures Baby Giraffe that his problems and complaints will disappear as he grows older and until then with her, to have patience because he is strong and she will continue to be with him. Soundar's calm, reassuring text makes this appropriate for a bedtime story. Once again, Mistry's artwork is informed by nature, folklore and traditional Indian art. The color palette is largely browns and golds, with an occasional splash of blue.

Highly recommended for PreS-grade 3.

[Fairytalesforallchildren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mother's love is everlasting. And the love for your mother should be as well, not just in one specific day. I fall in love hopelessly with this book and it was perfect 1. Birthday Ever gift for my 1. Daughter Ever
Lovely and lyrically narrated story of Mother Giraffe and her baby growing up in the grassland. Mother Giraffe is teaching her child about the life, what is important to know for surviving, to learn the language of noise and of the silence. Until the little one will learn everything important the Mother Giraffe is right there making it feels safe and whispering: you're strong with me.

[Rosie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Life in the grasslands is quite overwhelming to a Giraffe calf but with the help of their mother they are able to learn and explore. The story itself isn’t all that interesting but it’s shows the relationship between a mother and child and how parents act as a guide through life for their children.
This could be useful for looking at during an Africa topic to consider the landscape but also the art.

Although the images are beautiful and incredibly detailed, I found it made the pages really chaotic and to didn’t know where to look and it made me struggle to read and engage with the story.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this story, especially how it explains why the baby giraffe has to do certain things to be safe. The illustrations are strikingly beautiful, but may be too busy for a class read aloud. I wish the backgrounds were not as highly detailed as the animals. One of my kids has ADHD and he couldn't stand looking at the pages because they were too ornate. I know others may find it fascinating.

[Emily✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

My least favorite of the series (which began with You're Safe with Me and continued with You're Snug with Me) but as always the illustrations are stunning.

TW: fire

[Steph Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story. Message - family make you strong

[Jodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations and a lovely story

[Renn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous art, a comforting story, what is there not to love about this beautiful picture book?

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting illustrations. I liked the theme of love in the story.

[Megan Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful!

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

An intricately drawn book about a mother and baby giraffe learning about the world around them. Lots of parent advice. Preschool and up

[Iqra Fiaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful message accompanied by stunning illustrations.

[Miss Ryoko · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations (per usual for this series of books) were amazing, like always

[Eme87 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful!

[Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book are gorgeous.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mama's are always there to support and encourage their babies!
Such beautiful illustrations.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are spectacular and steal the show!