The green baby swing

Xavier and his mother are at Nana's house after her funeral, to go through things in the attic. Accompanied by kitten Comet, they discover abundant boxes and other treasures. Xavier is sad Nana's gone, though Mom offers reassurance: "We'll make sure to keep her in our stories." The boxes reveal clothing, Nana's paintbrushes, and more--along with family stories, as Mom describes the things they find and the meaning behind them. A blanket-like object especially piques Xavier's curiosity; for his mother, it evokes a special reminiscence and lullaby-like song that she sings him about the baby swing, a fabric sling to hold and carry a baby close, safe and snug, like she did for Xavier and Nana did for her. Eventually, after the long day, it's bedtime, and as Xavier and Mom (and Comet) nestle asleep together, the baby swing draped over all of them. Lovely, expressive watercolor-and-pencil illustrations depict Xavier and his mother and their close bond, in moments both playful and poignant, as they find memory-sparking objects. King approaches the topic straightforwardly while eloquently conveying a child's perspective on missing someone dear, and how tangible items--and sharing memories--can be illuminating and comforting. An affecting, supportive portrayal of navigating loss and the ways love and family connection endure.

After Nana's funeral, Xavier and his mother clean out her attic. Afraid of monsters or dragons, Xavier dons his bicycle helmet and grabs a wooden spoon before he, his mother, and his cat, Comet, head upstairs. They don't find anything scary--just unusual old objects. To dispel Xavier's sadness over Nana's death, his mother tells him, "We'll make sure to keep her in our stories." As they open boxes, Xavier learns about Nana and his mother. When they find paintbrushes, his mother says that Nana was an artist. Xavier says, "I'm an artist, too." After his mother shows him a tiny pair of shoes, he's surprised to learn that she was once a child. Xavier finds a cloth that his mother calls a "green baby swing." Though it may not look like a swing, Xavier's mother sings quietly: "It isn't a swing like a swing in the park. / It's made out of tenderness, knotted and dark." The full song, repeated several times, describes its "swaying motion" as it was used to lull babies to sleep, including his mom and Xavier. Children will soon be singing along and demanding a baby swing of their own. Featuring soft, muted watercolor and pencil illustrations, this gentle, understated tale about a grandparent's passing may inspire families to share their own memories. Xavier and his mother are brown-skinned. A tender tale that pulls generations together. (Picture book. 3-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.