I LOVE YOU ALL DAY LONG

When a little pig worries what will happen when he’s away at school, his mother makes him feel better in this reassuring picture-book debut. “You should always remember this,” says mother pig, “I love you when I’m with you and I love you when we’re apart.” “ ‘That means you love me all day long!’ ” the child responds. Burris’s illustrations are cheerful and bright; saturated colors outlined in black make the images look animated as the child goes about his day at school from morning arrival (“I love you when you make a new friend”), to lunch (“I love you when you let a burp sneak out”) and recess (“I love you when you wait for your turn [on the swings]”). Even the rough spots—tripping on shoelaces, spilling juice, or getting stuck on the top of the slide—are smoothed over by mother’s love. At day’s end, mother and son share a bedtime story. Youngsters new to school will see themselves in little pig’s experiences and be buoyed by his triumphs—no matter what, little pig keeps on trucking. Likewise, parents and caregivers will find this useful in its treatment of separation anxiety. (Picture book. 3-5)