Hello, friends! Our book today is In A Minute, Mama Bear by Rachel Bright, a sweet tale of a mommy and daughter with conflicting schedules.

Mama Bear has a list of errands a mile long, and she needs to keep on schedule. But Bella Bear, her toddler-aged daughter, does things on her own time: when Mama picks out her favorite blue dress to wear, Bella insists on wearing her red jumper instead. A quick meal in the car? But Bella wanted oatmeal and pancakes! And proclaiming that she needs to use the potty before they leave, she takes her time perusing her books while she “goes”. Even when they finally get out the door, the have to turn around – Bella forgot her silly cup. With every delay and distraction, Mama Bear is pushed closer to her breaking point, resulting in her losing her temper when faced with a traffic jam. Spotting Bella’s meek expression in response to the outburst, Mama Bear pauses to consider how her mood affects her cub, and wonders if all those appointments are really as important as they seem.

This is one of those stories that absolutely feels like it was written for caregivers as much as their little ones; I was SO sympathetic to Mama Bear’s desperation to get out the door on time while Bella innocently dawdled and delayed. The lesson is very much directed at the adult reader: Mama Bear decides to put off her errands and skip Bella’s dance class, taking the day to go to the park and simply enjoy each other’s company. And while the notion of simply dropping all responsibilities for a day of play may feel a little fantastic, the core message is clear: remember to take the time to let kids be kids, at their pace and not yours. It’s heartwarming and sweet, and bolstered lovingly by the wide-eyed, energetic and expressive character design. The length is perfect for any age, and we liked it a lot. Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)