Just Because You're Mine [Hardcover]

Sally Lloyd-Jones (Author), Frank Endersby (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: December 27, 2011 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years

Little Red Squirrel tries to guess the reason that his daddy loves him—is it because he is a good High Climber, and Brave, and Fast, and Completely Handsome? Could it be because he’s so Friendly? Or maybe it’s because he’s so good at finding Top Secret Berries?

The answer is a heartwarming testament to a parent’s love for a child. From New York Times bestselling author Sally Lloyd-Jones and illustrator Frank Endersby comes a classic story about the nature of unconditional love.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Why does a daddy love his little squirrel? It isn’t because the little guy can spin in circles or because he’s good at finding berries or even because his fluffy tail makes him “so COMPLETELY handsome!” As all mommies and daddies know, the answer is simple, as the daddy tells his baby: “just because you’re mine.” With a gentle, reassuring text and soft, muted watercolors, this loving picture book follows a father squirrel and his Little Red Squirrel as they go about their day. There are sunrises to behold, trees to climb, and races to run. As day turns into night, sleepy Little Red Squirrel is carried home and tucked into a cozy bed of leaves. Partner this with Lloyd-Jones’ Time to Say Goodnight (2006) for an additional gentle bedtime read, and with Emma Dodd’s No Matter What (2008) and Kat Yeh’s You’re Lovable to Me (2009) for more books highlighting the unconditional bond between parent and child. Preschool-Kindergarten. --Ann Kelley

About the Author

Sally Lloyd-Jones is the author of several books for children, including the New York Times bestselling How to Be a Baby . . . by Me, the Big Sister, illustrated by Sue Heap, and The Ultimate Guide to Grandmas & Grandpas!, illustrated by Michael Emberley. She lives in New York City, where she writes full-time.

Frank Endersby has enjoyed drawing and painting from a very young age. He has experimented with many forms of art, from designing greeting cards to designing china patterns to illustrating preschool board books. He is the illustrator of Left Hand, Right Hand: A "Hands-On" Book About Left and Right, by Janet Allison Brown. Frank lives in Cirencester, England. This is his first book for HarperCollins.

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (December 27, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062014765
• ISBN-13: 978-0062014764
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 10 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #61,833 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sally Lloyd-Jones is a Brit who came to the US in 1989 "just for a year." She's still here.

Born in Kampala, Uganda, raised in East, and West Africa and at a boarding school in the New Forest, the first book she ever remembers reading all the way through was THE COMPLETE NONSENSE by Edward Lear. Things have not been the same since.

She lives in Manhattan and enjoys dividing her time between the front half of her apartment and the back.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#82 in Books > Religion & Spirituality

#82 in Books > Religion & Spirituality

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Just Because You're Mine March 6, 2012

By Mundie Moms/Mundie Kids

Format:Hardcover

I thought this was a cute children's book and it's one my kids enjoyed, which is always a big thing for me. It's a story about a young squirrel who guesses all the reasons why his daddy loves him, and in the end of a fun day playing in the woods with his dad he learns it's, because he's his daddy's own. Certain parts of this reminded me of Love You Forever, which at first started to turn me off of the story, but I felt as the story went on there were plenty of differences to make this book enjoyable in it's own right. The illustrations alone are fabulous! My daughter loved looking at each page's adorable pictures.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Storybook similar to Guess How Much I Love You February 11, 2012

By Bethany

Format:Hardcover

Plot:

Little Red-Squirrel and his daddy scamper about chasing one another when:

"Little Red Squirrel," his daddy called after him. "Did I tell you today that I love you?"

"Because why?" asked Little Red Squirrel. (He was spinning now, faster and faster, round and round in circles.)

"Daddy," said the spinning Little Red Squirrel. "Do you love me because I'm fast?" (Then he fell over of course, because he was so dizzy.)

This question begins a teasing exchange between Little Red Squirrel and his daddy. Does his daddy love Little Red Squirrel because of his berry discovering abilities, or his nimble climbing skills, or because he is "so COMPLETELY handsome"? Finally, after a day of squirrelish merriment his daddy puts Little Red Squirrel to bed and answers the beginning question with tenderness, "I love you just because you're mine."

Illustrations:

Frank Endersby's watercolor paintings are classic and beautiful. He captures the playful yet warm nature of the father-son bond.

My opinion:

Try to imagine Sam McBratney's Guess How Much I Love You only with a touch of A. A. Milne and about squirrels not hares. Sally Lloyd-Jones' new picture book celebrates the theme of unconditional love vintage style yet with originality. I think the words of my three year-old son sums up my opinion well: "Let's read it again! Right now!"

Reviewed by the website No Twiddle Twaddle

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful February 15, 2012

By D. Merrimon Crawford VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Little Red Squirrel spends the day with his father, climbing and jumping and playing in the woods. With every activity, Little Red Squirrel asks his father if this is why his father loves him. While reaffirming all the good qualities in his son, the father squirrel tells his son that he is not loved for what he does or is. At the end, the father tells his son exactly why he loves his son.

JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE is a story about a parent's unconditional love for his child. The expressive, energetic and adorable illustrations add wonderful dimensions to the story. JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE would make a wonderful resource for teachers on Valentine's Day as well as a birthday present to give to your child. Also, for adults who enjoy the magic of children's books, if your dad is one of those impossible dads to shop for, JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE would make a heartfelt choice to give your father for his birthday or Father's Day.

Courtesy of Book Illuminations