Don't Forget by Jane Godwin illustrated by Anna Walker

"Don't forget that life is long, you're not alone, 

that you are strong and don't forget that you belong."

Let's begin with the cover - the smiling faces of the children are very inviting as is the fact that they have been adventurous enough to climb a tree. One child is showing her friend a tiny caterpillar perhaps they are remembering the famous book by Eric Carle. It is a sunny autumn day and if you stretch out the cover the illustration spread right across from front to back. 

Some questions from the cover:

• Who are these children?
• What do they need to remember?
• Will we meet these children in the story?
• Do you think this book will have a message? Can you guess the author's intention from the title?

Now open the book and pause over the end papers. I like the subtle change between the front and back endpapers with the addition of the kite which has travelled on from the happy community event seen on the previous pages. 

Turn the page again and you will see a small child about to pick a dandelion flower while her dog runs on happily ahead. On the final page you will see the little girl has picked the dandelion and she is blowing the seeds onto the wind. 

The book begins with some practical advice - "Don't forget to make your bed and wear socks that fit your feet." Over the following pages the advice becomes more general and more philosophical - "Don't forget to try new things, to smell the flowers, watch the ocean and listen to the music of the trees."

The repeated motif of ‘Don’t forget’ works so well in this philosophical tale and I like the way the advice moves from practical (clean your teeth) to more abstract/mindful suggestions. 

This book would be a beautiful gift for a new baby but it is also a book you could share with older children as a way to discuss book design, placement of illustrations, pace, page turns and the way Anna Walker interprets the text by Jane Godwin of extending her words in surprising ways. Anna and Jane have made eight books together. 

This book is a worthy addition to the already bulging shelves of mindfulness books that have been appearing recently. The second last page of this book is such a joyful celebration of community and brings together all the gentle advice shared through each page as we see the children we met earlier smiling, playing, sharing, lending a hand and trying new things.  There are some very tender moments in the illustrations which beautifully extend the text well beyond the word such as ‘don’t forget to smile’ where we see the little girl helping her friend with his broken model. The variety of children Anna has included also seem very natural. It is good to notice the way scenes move from inside to outside.

Anna Walker creates love, life and community on the pages through her illustrations. She brings a whole neighbourhood alive and gives each character hopes and dreams and history. The story of their lives plays out on the pages as the kids and their families navigate their worlds, connect and share, and remember not to forget the things that matter. Kids' Book Review

Don't Forget is a CBCA Picture Book of the Year Notable title for 2022.

Take a look at my post about window books which I created as a response to our Covid lock downs. Companion books to read alongside Don't Forget:

Silence

The Quiet Book

A Song full of Sky

Extraordinary

A New Green Day

Happy