When I Was Little Like You

Paton Walsh's spare text with its repetition and soft lilting rhythms make gentle if somewhat idyllic, comparisons between Gran's childhood and Rosie's. It is complemented well with Lambert's soft pastel illustrations that reinforce the impression of a lazy afternoon in which Gran has all the time in the world for Rosie. The implicit message, especially important in these times of high tech communication, is that we must not neglect the tradition of passing information from one generation to the next, sharing the cultural changes as well as the things that stay the same, from the landmark lighthouse to the loving relationship between child and grandmother. When I Was Little Like You is an ideal gift from grandparents and should also have a special place in classroom collections.