You're Safe With Me

By Chitra Soundar and Poonam Mistry

A gentle bedtime tale to lull little ones to sleep, with artwork that twinkles like the night sky.

When the moon rises high and the stars twinkle, it is bedtime for the baby animals of the Indian forest. But tonight, when the skies turn dark and the night grows stormy, the little ones can't sleep. SWISH-SWISH! CRACK-TRACK! FLASH-SNAP! goes the storm. Only Mama Elephant with her words of wisdom can reassure them, "You're safe with me."

WINNER of the 3-Star Teach Early Years Award 2019. Kate Greenaway Medal 2019 shortlist. A Guardian Children’s Book of the Month. A Junior Library Guild Selection.

“A perfect bedtime picture book. A sleep-time staple for toddlers”—The Guardian

“This beautiful bedtime book is a feast for the eyes and a warm, cozy blanket for the imagination. I felt as though I had been sung a lullaby, while being given a huge hug”—Tales on Moon Lane

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lerner Publishing
• Release date: Jun 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781913747008

Chitra Soundar

Chitra Soundar is originally from India, where as a child she feasted on folktales and stories from Hindu mythology. She is the author of the picture book Pattan’s Pumpkin: A Traditional Flood Story from Southern India, illustrated by Frané Lessac. She currently lives in London.

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Reviews for You're Safe With Me

[lyndainoregon · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

There really aren't enough words to describe the beauty of this book. In the text, jungle babies are frightened by the changes night brings, but Mama Elephant explains each one and repeats her mantra, "You're safe with me." It's a simple, reassuring message of love and security.But, oh -- the artwork. Poonam Mistry's intricate illustrations, rife with swirling movement and singing colors, lift this short, simple picture book into the realm of art, and Lantana Publishing has acknowledged this in the production values with luxurious, heavyweight, glossy paper and border-to-border color.The style is exotic, the colors are rich enough to eat, and though some of the animals may be unfamiliar to children (or rendered in ways that make them difficult to identify), it doesn't really matter.This is not a 3-minutes-and-off-you-go-to-bed experience. Each page continues to reveal more detail, more surprises, the longer it is studied. Plants, insects, raindrops -- all have something to say are transposed by Mistry's artistry.

[whisper1_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Stunningly beautiful, breath-taking illustrations both the author and illustrator are of Indian heritage, and the illustrations and rich folktale blends India and its culture, natural beauty.In this tale, night is fast approaching, and the baby animals of the jungle are getting nervous because of the natural elemental happenings. The moon arose and the stars accompanied it. Darkness and night time noises made the babies exceedingly nervous. It is mama elephant who soothes the babies by telling them "hush" and rocking them saying "You're Safe With Me."The trees are making sounds as a result of the wind. And, as the book notes, the babies awake and are afraid. Beautifully, the mama reminds the babies that the wind is not an enemy, rather it is a friend that helps scatter seeds from other countries. In particular, the monkey is very scared. Reminded again that "You're Safe With Me," which then allows the babies to lose their fear.When the thunder claps loudly while clapping and echoing throughout, again there is fear. And again, the mama elephant reminds the babies they are safe and there is necessity in the thunder and the ensuing rain which enables the forest to grow those seeds that the wind scattered. All is natural; all is a necessary part of life.And with the thunder, the rain pours down and the lightening is bright as it rends the sky. Now, mama reminds the babies that the thunder will help the stars shine. And, the same mantra reminds the babies they are safe.Throughout the book when each natural element makes noise, the babies learn that nature is natural and exceedingly necessary. Always giving the reason why there is a reason, and they should feel safe.I read and let the beauty of the images take over, creating a sense of peace. Like the baby animals, I was mesmerized by the images and the repeating soft message allowing the necessary sleep to overtake them.I've read many illustrated books, thus far those illustrated by Poonam Mistry are by far the most beautiful, soul inspiring peaceful art!!!