Also by this author: How High is Heaven, The World Is Awake for Little Ones: A Celebration of Everyday Blessings, Girls of the World: Doing More Than Ever Before
Published by Zonderkidz on September 13, 2022
Genres: Children's
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Now in board book, come celebrate the joy, wonder, and innocence of being a child with this love letter to the little ones in your life, encouraging and affirming their own special qualities now and always.
Inspired by the endearing qualities she sees in her own son, Linsey Davis, Emmy Award-winning ABC News correspondent and bestselling author of The World Is Awake and One Big Heart, is releasing another beautiful board book especially for parents and grandparents to share with their little ones. With imaginative illustrations from bestselling artist Lucy Fleming paired with playful and heartwarming read-aloud rhymes, this board book will affirm young hearts and make a lasting impact on young minds as children discover their own unique qualities.
Stay This Way Forever for Little Ones:
is an all new board book abridgement of Stay This Way Forever by bestselling author Linsey Davis
is a great snuggle-up read for the little ones in your life
beautifully and authentically celebrates diversity in its characters
includes whimsical, joy-filled illustrations from bestselling artist Lucy Fleming
features a durable board book format and is the perfect size for little ones ages 0-4Look for additional inspirational children’s picture books and audio products from award-winning author Linsey Davis:
How High is HeavenOne Big HeartThe World Is AwakeThe World Is Awake for Little OnesThe Linsey Davis Children’s Audio Collection
This colorful, affectionate board book is all about a mother’s love for her son. Stay This Way Forever for Little Ones is a board book adaptation of Linsey Davis’s original picture book, which she wrote based on her relationship with her own son. The book emphasizes the little boy’s positive characteristics, and the mother’s hope that he will “stay this way forever” in terms of who he is. If someone is concerned by the title, they should know that this isn’t a sentimental book about wanting your child to never grow up. The mother talks about how her child will change and grow over time, but expresses the hope that he will always remain “wild and free,” filled with wonder. The illustrations from Lucy Fleming are charming and convey emotions well, and will appeal to people looking for diverse books about parental love.
This is a great choice for parents who want to affirm their child’s best qualities and their love for their child. In many ways, this book struck me as a non-creepy alternative to I’ll Love You Forever. That one is a classic for a reason, but it’s also very weird. This book avoids the strange vibes, and just celebrates how a mother’s love will remain steadfast over the years. My only critique is that it is odd for the illustrations to show two children when the mother is only talking to her son, not her daughter. This can seem like exclusiveness and favoritism, when the pictures could have only shown the child the mother is talking to.
Although this book is from a Christian publisher, it does not mention God or include any Bible verses. Since I haven’t read the original version of Stay This Way Forever, I do not know if this is a departure from the original or not, but the board book does not have any spiritual content. Christian parents who are specifically looking to affirm God’s design in their child’s life and His love for their child may want to pursue a different book, but parents who are looking for something secular that is just about a parent-child bond won’t be caught off guard by unexpected religious content.