Teddy, Let’s Go! by Michelle Nott, illustrated by Nahid Kazemi. Enchanted Lion Books, 2022. 9781592703685

Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 5

Format: Hardcover picture book

What did you like about the book? This lovely story with enchanting art is about a beloved stuffed animal, Teddy, and his family. The wordless first few pages show Grandma making a stuffed bear, with her old Singer sewing machine and a needle and thread. When Grandma finishes the bear, she holds him close and whispers in his ear. The bear is animated with love, and the first-person narration begins. What a sweet beginning!

Grandma gives Teddy to her new grandchild, who has just been born. Teddy describes life with the baby through sights and sounds and experiences – especially baths together. After the baby’s first birthday, Teddy names the girl “My,” for her habit of naming all of her things as hers. My loves Teddy, but when a new baby comes to the family, she gives Teddy another bath and presents him to her new baby brother.

The art gives the story almost a fairy tale feel, the rubbed pastel textures making the child and even Teddy look ethereal. Bright patches of color accentuate important images, showing what is beloved to Teddy. The author plays with the structure of sentences related to the art, and uses the pause between pages to build suspense or humor. The poetic language, gorgeous pencil and pastel art, and the sweet love between the child and the stuffed animal makes this a precious story.

Anything you didn’t like about it? No

To whom would you recommend this book? For ages 3-7, especially those who have a special stuffie or a new sibling on the way.

Who should buy this book? Day care centers and public libraries

Where would you shelve it ? Picture books

Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? Yes

Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Stephanie Tournas, Robbins Library, Arlington, MA

Date of review: October 3, 2022