TOGETHER, WE ARE FAMILY

A youngster with a mobility aid adds a layer of complexity to family life, but love shines through.

A little tyke with a mop of yellow scribbly hair and a purple-hued walker is filled to the brim with emotions in this British import. Written from the perspective of parent to child, the narration takes a reassuring tone: “We may have ups, we may have downs… // but we always find our way around.” Hamilton acknowledges the difficulties: “The things that others find just fine can cause you worries all the time: / putting shoes on, / climbing stairs, / the moods that catch you unawares.” But amid those tough moments, the family has plenty of reasons to smile, too. The tot takes pleasure in the simplicity of watching a bumblebee fly by or watching TV while snuggled under a comfy blanket. Though this tale centers on a disabled youngster, many families will see themselves in this depiction. All families fall into rhythms, encounter unexpected rough spots, and, in an achingly honest parenting truth, “muddle through in our own way.” Hamilton’s childlike illustrations capture the whimsy and love of this tiny team. In an author’s note, she mentions that one of her daughters has Prader–Willi syndrome. The main characters are pale-skinned; their community is diverse.

A sweet and tender reminder of family’s loving embrace.