In My Heart

by Mackenzie Porter, Jenny Løvlie (Illustrator)

Overview

A working mother reassures her child that even when they’re apart, they’re always in each other’s hearts. This lovely board book is perfect for moms to share with their little ones.

Though we’re not together
we’re never truly apart,
because you’re always on my mind
and you’re always in my heart.

This is what a mother tells her child as she leaves for work each day. This lovely board book perfectly captures the sentiment that many women feel about being a working mom. The lyrical text takes us through a mother’s day away, showing us that although she’s working hard, her child is always on her mind and always in her heart.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781534454330
Publisher:	Little Simon
Publication date:	03/10/2020
Pages:	26
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 7.20(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	3 Months to 18 Years

About the Author

Mackenzie Porter loves writing stories inspired by her family and is the author of four books, including In My Heart, You Are Home, Let Her Be, and She Is Mama. Mackenzie wrote her first book, In My Heart, when she returned to work after the birth of her daughter. Mackenzie obtained her Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in 2023 and works full time both in maternal and child health and as being a mom. In her spare time, she loves to travel anywhere and everywhere. She lives in Indianapolis, Indiana, with her husband, daughter, dog, and the rest of her big Greek family. Visit her online at BooksByMackenzie.com.

Jenny Løvlie is a Norwegian illustrator, designer, creative, storyteller, and bird enthusiast. Growing up about as far north as it’s physically possible to get on mainland Europe has shaped her creative approach. Using bold colors, textures, and strong shapes, she creates stunning landscapes, people, and animals. She’s fascinated by the strong bond between humans and animals and the link between humans and nature.

Editorial Reviews

2020-02-26
Sweet assurance for a child heading off to day care: Mama spends her day missing you.

This message is repeated in rhyming text on 12 spreads. As mother buckles the car-seat belt, the child asks, “Mama, I will miss you. What do you do all day?” On the left side of subsequent spreads Mama moves through her day in an office constantly thinking of her child—even peeking at baby pictures during a meeting. The right-hand page shows the child happily playing at day care. The final four spreads show them cheerfully together again for evening rituals: bath, reading time, and bedtime. Both mother and child have dark skin with straight black hair. The pair share the same persistent smile and pink dot cheeks, and their clothing and dispositions are consistently sunny and bright. The pages are decorated with birds, hearts, and flowers. Readers will note that their days are rather unrealistically stress-free. There are no tantrums or guilty feelings in this idealized world (and also no parental partner). And never mind that Mama might actually think about work at work.

This idyllic but possibly incomplete version of a working mother’s day may provide comfort to a child in day care. (Board book. 18 mos.-4)

Kirkus Reviews