Mama's Day with Little Gray
In Reid’s debut children’s book, as a mother elephant and her calf  stroll through the grasslands, Little Gray imagines the two of them  switching places. “‘If I grew up and you were my calf.... I’d spend  every day with you,” he says. “I would be your calf and stay right by  your side,” his mother responds. Bryant’s dewy, pastel palette fills the  landscape as the elephants saunter along, acting out each of the  scenarios that the calf entertains. “ ‘I could show you how to make  mud,’ said Little Gray. ‘I know you’d be a good teacher,’ Mama said.” An  abundantly sweet depiction of a child’s gentle nudging for assurance.  Ages 2–5. Author’s agent: Jill Corcoran, Jill Corcoran Literary Agency.  (Apr.)