Kristin Harris (Children's Literature)
This is the ultimate book for the child whose mother works away from home. A very sweet verse details all of the wonderful things Mother will do when she comes home. Not only will she hug you and kiss you, she will dance in the halls, feed you soup and applesauce, and wrap you in her shawl. The rhythm of the words makes it a perfect bedtime book. The illustrations are gentle and calming watercolor/color pencil drawings of a mother and child winding down at the end of the day. A book that kids and caregivers will read over and over again. 1998, Simon & Schuster, $14.00. Ages 1 to 5.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, 1998)
The few precious hours between an outside-the-home working mother's arrival at her child's side and that child's bedtime are viewed through an idealized lens; the effect--either loving or hopelessly sentimentalized--will depend on the outlook of adults who open this book for lap-sharing. The rhythmic text meant to soothe seems forced and stilted; the repeated use of the phrase "dear child" distances the words unnecessarily. Muted pastel illustrations conjure an era from the past: The mother's old-fashioned rosiness, hairstyle, and dress are WWII or earlier, reminding readers that "working" mothers are not a novelty. As mother and child share both boisterous and quiet activities, culminating in peaceful slumber, the well-tended house and the gentle admonishment to put the blocks away are elements that may reflect how mothers would like to envision their day, rather than what really transpires. 1998, Simon & Schuster, $14.00. © 1998 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Spring 1999)
A mother returns home from work and sweetly celebrates with her child the precious time between homecoming and bed with a series of warm rituals incorporating cuddling, playing, eating, and bathing. The verse is natural; the art, a combination of watercolor and colored pencils, enriches the text's tenderness and adds to its nostalgic, idealized mood. Category: Preschool. 1998, Simon, 32pp, $14.00. Ages 2 to 5. Rating: 4: Recommended, with minor flaws.