I will never forget when I read this book for the first time. I worked at Borders in the children’s department. As we put books on the shelves for the store’s opening, an employee made a face as they held up this book. A few days later, I stopped shelving to read the book and started sobbing.

I didn’t even have kids yet.

Now I do have kids. And I will love them forever. And it wouldn’t surprise me if Connor one day rocked his ancient and emaciated mother.