On Your Way
A tender look back at a child’s first steps, On Your Way is a celebration of growth, movement, and the importance of slowing down to observe life’s milestones both big and small.
A mother recounts for her child “that day on the porch” when he first tried to walk. As the child totters, stumbles, and flops, young animals nearby gallop, jump, waddle, and hop. Kids will delight in the child’s progress and think of the ways they’re still learning to grow and move every single day now that they’re on their way. A perfect book for looking back at how far kids have come…and how far they’ll go.
Midwest Book Review
A mother recounts for her child “that day on the porch” when they first tried to walk. As the child totters, stumbles, and flops, young animals nearby gallop, jump, waddle, and hop. Kids ages 3-5 will delight in the child’s progress and think of the ways they themselves are still learning to grow and move every single day now that they’re on their way. A perfect picture book for looking back at how far kids have come (and how far they’ll go), On Your Way is a joyous and entertaining celebration of growth, movement, and the importance of slowing down to observe life’s milestones both big and small. On Your Way is unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, and community library collections.
St. Paul Pioneer Press
…In this charming story, a mother recalls the day her child took his (or her) first steps: “You sat on my lap as the sun rose, / then squirmed down to crawl around.” As baby crawls, “Cat and kittens crept around a corner … Dog and puppies bounded by the barn.” When he tried to stand, “I knelt down and held out my arms, / you wobbled, tumbled, plopped … you tottered, stumbled, flopped.” But baby finally takes first steps: “soon, you crept, / waddled, hopped, / and bounded.” In the end, Mom leans against a tree that her son is climbing: “Now you’re big / and move in so many ways, / but I remember those very first steps, / how far you’ve come,” and as the child walks into the sunlight with his dog, “and how far / you’ll go.” Everything about this book for 3- to 5-year-olds is just right. The text is lyrical and the lively illustrations help tell the story, especially Shipman’s depiction of animals. Her drawings capture the baby’s tentative steps and then the child’s joy in splashing through puddles and other busy activities, always accompanied by a black-and-white dog…