I Love You, Little One [Board book]

Nancy Tafuri (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

A tender book by the acclaimed Caldecott Honor winning author/illustrator.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this tender bedtime book, seven young creatures ask in turn a single, important question: "Do you love me, Mama?" The answer in each case is the same: "forever and ever and always," but it is preceded by different, lyrical similes. Mama Rabbit loves her baby "as the earth loves you, warm and snug around you, giving you a warm place to sleep"; Mama Mouse loves her child "as the wild rye loves you, gently swaying above you, giving you food and cover from harm." As the characters speak, the pictures quietly show the progression of the sun and moon to indicate the passage of time from midmorning to evening. The book's oversized pages seem to enfold the reader like a hug, and the full-bleed watercolor-and-ink illustrations are sumptuously yet tidily rendered, bringing to life the lushness of the woodland setting while maintaining a comforting sense of order. So stunningly detailed are Tafuri's (Have You Seen My Duckling?) dusky, downy-coated animals that the pink-skinned human mother and genderless child shown on the final spread seem almost bland in comparison. A compositional strategy gently underlines the point of the narrative: the spreads in which the little ones ask their anxious question are framed as medium or long shots, while the mothers make their reassuring reply in snuggly close-ups. A soothing and sturdy choice. Ages 3-7.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1?Over the course of a day, several baby animals ask their mothers whether they love them. In each instance, the parent compares her love to the protective, life-giving environment in which the creature lives: "I love you as the pond loves you, wide and calm beneath you, giving you food and places to swim," says Mama duck. Finally, a human child asks the same question and is assured of a love that is as constant as the stars, "Forever, and ever, and always." The lyrical text is spare and patterned, and the repeated phrases invite participation. The illustrations, all double-page spreads done in watercolor, ink, and colored pencils, are signature Tafuri?large and uncluttered. The extra-wide book design enables the illustrator to present a panoramic view of each animal's habitat before zooming in on a close-up of parent and child in the following spread. The colors are muted as befits the quiet story, and the many strokes depicting animal feathers and fur are striking. While this is not a new subject for picture books, youngsters need many assurances of parental love. This one is perfect for bedtime sharing.?Marianne Saccardi, Norwalk Community-Technical College, CT
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Board book: 15 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press (March 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439137462
• ISBN-13: 978-0439137461
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #356,075 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Nancy Tafuri is probably best known as the creator of Have You Seen My Duckling?, a 1985 Caldecott Honor Book described by Parent's Choice as "beautifully precise yet emotionally affecting." Trained as a graphic designer, Tafuri has authored more than 45 books over 27 years for the very young. www.nancytafuri.com
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, comforting reading, February 5, 1999

By 

Sharon - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Love You, Little One (Hardcover)

My six year old daughter and five year son both love this book and have worked together to decide who gets to recite which lines from memory. My son recites "Forever and ever and always," as he kisses the baby animals on each page. No matter what age, all children delight in hearing that they are loved and mine are no exception. Each time we finish the book, they turn to me with eyes sparkling and ask, "Do you love me, Mama?" and I try to compose an answer similar to the ones in the book. It's really a pleasure to read this book together.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Forever, and ever, and always, June 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: I Love You, Little One (Board book)

I love reading this book to my daughter. The storyline is excellent along with the illustrations. We love seeing all of the baby animals asking their mommy's if they love them. It's wonderful to see how they relate their responses to their baby's to where they live with how much they love them. For example, when the baby rabbit asks his mother if she loves him and her response is, "Yes, little one, I love you as the earth loves you, cozy and snug around you, giving you a warm place to sleep. I love you as the earth loves you, forever and ever and always." It is wonderful to see how the book reinforces that you will be loved forever and ever and always. I look forward to reading this book to my daughter for many years to come. This is a must have for any child, mother or grandmother.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love You, Little One, December 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: I Love You, Little One (Hardcover)

One of Nancy Tufari's best books. The beautiful illustrations capture the reader. The word usage is great. I would recommend this book to any child. This story is one of my son's favorites. Thank you for the wonderful stories and illustrations Mrs. Tufari. C.G. and Z. G. Florida