As I see it, there’s only one explanation for this book: an intrusive parent decided to make up a story for his kids that started with “You think I’m bad?! Wait till you get a load of this...” That, or it’s Freud-lite for kiddies.

This story of a woman holding and singing to her son every night was first read to me by Joey Tribbiani. Back then, I just thought it’s poorly written and sappy (still true). Now that I’ve seen the illustrations? I’m terrified...



I mean, why is the mother peering over the edge of her nine year-old’s bed so creepily?! But the horror had only just begun... The son grows into a wild teenager, yet this woman still crawls to his room and cradles him ON HER LAP. Attached much?

Then this suffocated son moves out and is finally free from mom’s clutches. So she drives across town with a ladder strapped to her car, waits till the lights are turned off, then climbs through his window and rocks this adult man back and forth... DAFAQ?!

Later, the woman falls ill. So the son—whom I had been pitying all this while for the way he is routinely victimised—visits her, and what does he do? Lifts her up and rocks her in his arms as he croons a rendition of her schmaltzy lullaby!!! He has turned into his mother, which is my personal nightmare.

A tale of unconditional love, they call it... I call bullshit. This book contains and condones an unhealthy (to put it mildly) parent-child relationship that lacks open communication and blurs all boundaries. And the art is pretty crappy, too.

My favorite book as a kid.

Crawling on the floor??

i remember reading this in the school library way back in grade school and decided to pick it up again after seeing the now viral post on twitter and i can definitely understand the polarizing takes. on one end of the spectrum, i appreciate the sentiment and overall tender message this children’s book is trying to convey. it’s more for parents who understand wanting to hold your baby at every age & the heartache of being unable to do so once you’ve grown too old. on the other end, i can also see why taking this literally could paint disturbing images.

imo, i don’t think it’s that serious? it’s silly, childish and is meant to be ridiculously sweet on purpose; almost as silly to me as the way the metaphor seems to fly over some heads

No one say anything to me about this.

Ok, I know I'm going against popular opinion, but this book just bugs me. It's too much. I don't need this crammed down my throat or my kid's throat. I think it's scary not beautiful. This isn't particularly the message I want to relay to my young child with a picture book. I just don't.

Now, that being said if you like this book, fine. I know a lot of people do. If it's your cup of tea and it works for you or you find it beautiful... well, good. Then this book is meant for you. Not me. And that's what is so interesting about this world, isn't it? None of us are the same.

A short story for children but it warms my heart.

made me cry!!!
at work...
(elementary school library)