I'll Be There - by Karl Newson (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A heart-warming celebration of parental love, following baby animals as they explore the world.

In this calming, rhyming picture book, a little polar bear wobbles on ice floes, a tiny tiger cub learns to roar, and an owlet faces a fear of the dark. Who will be there to help them? Why, their daddy or mommy, of course! Whatever wonderful, tricky, or exciting moments the world has in store for these baby animals, they know that they will be supported in everything they do.

Little ones will love joining in with the animal noises and the reassuring refrain, before snuggling up with their parent for the soothing bedtime ending.

Written by Karl Newson, whose stories have been translated into 27 languages, and illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw, winner of the Sainsbury's Children's Book Award.

Written by Karl Newson, whose stories have been translated into 27 languages, and illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw, winner of the Sainsbury's Children's Book Award.

From the Back Cover

I'll be there to see you shine and love you all the while . . .
From jungle trails to starlit skies, the world has so many wonders for a baby animal to explore. And their proud parents will be there to help and encourage them every step of the way.

Review Quotes

Adult animals help their young explore and try new things.
Sweet illustrations of kid-favorite animals like elephants, polar bears, whales, field mice, tigers, and owls demonstrate the encouraging message that adults will always be there to help their young learn, practice, and play. A double-page spread toward the end shows a bedroom scene with a dark-skinned adult holding up a smiling dark-skinned infant; the full moon is visible through the window, and all the animals shown previously can be seen in toy form or in the art on the wall. The last page is an exterior scene that depicts several houses with windows, through which readers can see diverse adults holding their own babies. Simple rhyming text that mostly adheres to an ABCB rhyme scheme flows easily when read aloud, and there are plenty of opportunities to perform sound effects (tooting elephants, squeaking mice, etc.) or just lean into the alliteration ("sing my song"). Both the artwork and the text are adorable, colorful, and encouraging, but the story lacks the humor of some of Newson's other books, like I Am a Tiger (2019), illustrated by Ross Collins, and doesn't stand out from similar titles. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Positive messaging and cute illustrations but not much more. (Picture book. 0-3)

--Kirkus

A baby elephant shoots water through its trunk, a baby polar bear climbs a glacial hill, and a baby humpback whale breaches in the ocean while a doting parent watches. With playful rhyming text like, "I'll be there to help you as you practice on your own. Just remember this-you'll never ever be alone," and engaging pastel drawings of animals and their babies, young children learn that familial bonds between various animals are just as intense as the bonds between humans. The final illustration depicts a brown-skinned male embracing a brown-skinned baby in a moonlit nursery, with all the animals in the story represented in the decorations (owls painted on the wall, humpback whales on the rug, etc.), a sweet touch sure to delight children when they make the connection. Made for new parents, this picture book can be read one-on-one while caregivers snuggle with their babies and toddlers. VERDICT A sweet additional purchase.--Carrie Voliva, School Library Journal

As the title suggests, this book is about parents being present for their children and encouraging them as they grow up. At first, it seems like a standard, rhyming text featuring various grown-up animals making noises of encouragement ("I'll roar my roar for you") as their children engage in exploring, playing, and practicing new skills. However, the end reveals that all the featured animal parent-child pairings are inspired by decor elements in a baby's bedroom, including stuffed tigers, owls on a mural, and blue whales on a carpet rug. The parent says to their baby that they light up the world with their smile. The endpage reveals a street view of houses and apartment buildings where diverse parents and babies snuggle in the windows, affirming the refrain, "I'll be there to see you shine / and love you all the while." The reassuring cadence of the words and the message of gentle child empowerment makes this a solid choice for a bedtime story.--Michelle Young, Booklist

Grab a book and snuggle up with your little one for a cozy and memorable reading experience.--Natalie Cook, Baby Chick

The reassuring cadence of the words and the message of gentle child empowerment makes this a solid choice for a bedtime story.--Michelle Young, Booklist

About the Author

Karl Newson (Author)
Karl Newson is a children's book author and illustrator from London, England. He takes inspiration from songs and books and people and everything! His favorite things are elephants, stars, and his two mini Mudwafflers. His least favorite thing is mashed potatos-bleurgh! In his spare time, he enjoys walking and listening to music from the 1960s (and singing along-badly), and biscuits.

Rosalind Beardshaw (Illustrator)
Rosalind Beardshaw is the illustrator of several books for Nosy Crow, including the bestselling When a Dragon Comes to Stay and I See the Moon.She loves creating new characters, especially if they can be based on her shaggy lurcher, Basil. She lives with her partner, Al, daughter, Iris, and young son, Freddie, in York, England