In My Heart

by Molly Bang

Being away from one's parent can create feelings of insecurity for any young child. But even when they are apart, parents and children can share a special connection. Told from the parent's point of view, In My Heart shows that, no matter where the parent is--or where the child is--the child is always in the parent's heart. A warm, simple, reassuring story, In My Heart is the perfect read-aloud for a parent before leaving for work in the morning or before tucking a child in at night.

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

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 15, 2006

Reviews

[Randie D. Camp, M.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bang, Molly. (2006). In My Heart. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company.

Annotation: For preschoolers to second graders. Molly Bang’s watercolor and collage illustrations are bright, detailed, and fun for young readers to admire. In this story, two parents describe how their child is in their hearts throughout the day while their apart. Bang includes questions in the text that allow a parent or guardian to talk with their child about how they feel. For example, on the second to last page it asks, “How do you DO that, always being in my heart?” Young children will be excited to answer and they can interact and be engaged in the story. The illustrated characters in the story are racial diverse and this allows the book to have a personal connection with many different children and families.

Personal Reflection: I was first drawn to this book because of the beautiful illustrations. I like how Molly Bang makes the parents’ hearts visible and shows their child inside. Young children need to know that they are loved and this book is very reassuring to those needs. Additionally, I enjoyed how Bang incorporates the illustrations into the text. For example, the marbles on the floor make an “A” for the first word in the sentence.

[Abby Peskin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really sweet book that shows a mother going about her day as usual, but reminding her son that throughout all of her daily activities, she thinks of him and sees him in her heart. This would be great for a child who is having some difficulty separating, or saying goodbye to mom in the mornings. It's a gentle, loving reminder that his mom is always thinking about him, and always loves him even though she is not with him.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a creepy little book. The point of it is that the mom carries her kid around in her heart. How sweet (blech). BUT, the illustrations show the kid actually in her heart--pulling up his pants and eating breakfast, among other things. Also, it appears that the book is a lesson in ABCs, but the letters are all mixed up so I don't get it.

[Lana Clifton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Molly Bang delivers a gorgeous flow of words that stand out on the pages with whimsical detail. A reassuring voice nurtures the bond that keeps parents and children connected while they are apart. Throughout the course of the day, the child is always carried in the heart of the care-giver. This picture book is a heartfelt read for all families.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this one to the kiddos on the last day of school. Written from a mom's perspective, it's a good story about how adults and kids can remain in each other's hearts, even when they are far apart. The kids loved Bang's illustrations.

[Ama · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 stars for illustrations. 4 for text.

While I like the overall concept of some of the letters being part of the illustrations, I found it distracting. If I - as an adult - am distracted, how confusing would this be for a young reader?

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

"You" are right here in my heart even when I am off at work, out at the store, etc.

[Charles Norris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how colorful the illustrations were. I liked the story but don't know that I would have a child read it, I felt more like it would be a story you would read to your child.

[Lunacy Smile]

it'a a great book

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

my boys love this idea of who is in their heart. it's also great for me as I'm working outside the home more & more.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

sweet

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great idea. But I didn't relate to the text super well and didn't think it written super well either. And I'm not a fan of the illustrations, again.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is another Molly Bang book that tries very hard to be sweet and ends up being a bit weird and creepy.

[Dewey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super sappy, but this book got me so good. It's too long for me to read to my baby lapsit program, but I really want to use this with an older group when I get a chance, because it's so sweet.

[Kenneth Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

In My Heart is a fictional picture book written by the Caldecott award winning author Molly Bang. The overall theme within the book was the connection and love that a parent and child have with each other throughout the day even when they are together or apart. This would be an ideal book to read aloud to younger students particularly in kindergarten or 1st grade because of the focus on letters in the book . It would help the students visual the letters due to the illustrations used. This is more of a modern picture book as well so the students can probably relate well to the concepts in the story.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Molly Bang's critical work _Picture This_, though reading this book compared to her picture books is sometimes a head scratching activity because I don't always see the principles she discusses. I like the idea of this work - as a full time working mom to three littles, I appreciate a book that shows the parent/child dynamic here - and this is one of the very few books I've read featuring (what appears to be) a non-biological child to two adoring, attentive parents. Still, the pages are visually busy and some of the illustrations are a little strange

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mama explains that her child is always in her heart, no matter where she is or what she's doing. And the child is still there, no matter where he is or what he is doing. Colorful, whimsical illustrations. It's also clear from the pictures that the child is adopted, which is a nice touch - a parent's love isn't based on biology! Not specifically a Valentines book, but I'm tagging it as one since it will go great with any love or heart themed storytimes.

[Alana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story for when you have to be apart from someone you love. You can always carry them with you! Plus I love how the illustrations incorporate the first capitalized letter into the picture.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was very nice that the parents loved their child no matter what, but there were way too many illustrations on each page, and they were too complicated and overwhelming.

[Ollie Skyba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Очаровательная книга, иллюстрации чудаковатые, но очень емкие, смысловые. Нарисовано будто детской рукой, с использованием букв английского алфавита, текста совсем немного, что дает возможность рассматривать картинки, додумывая, рассказывая (родителем) от себя.
Суть в том, что наши любимые всегда живут внутри наших сердец, чем бы на самом деле не занимались - ели, спали, ехали в автобусе, учились в школе или работали, - они никогда не покидают наших сердец.
По такой книге приятно и малышу объяснять природу чувств, происхождение любви, - и любая любящая мама найдет, на какой странице всплакнуть.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A glorious celebration of a parent's love for their child.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for a Valentine's Day Storytime. Could be used for Mother's Day as well.