I Love You With All My Heart (Hardcover)

by Noris Kern (Author) "One brisk morning, Polo ambled down to the shore to fish..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
A polar bear cub wonders how to measure his mother's love in this enchanting picture book. On a pared-down palette of matte blues and greens reminiscent of the frigid arctic landscape, Kern introduces Polo and his cuddlesome friends, a young reindeer, penguin, seal pup and wolf cub. Each in turn helpfully attempts to describe the expanse of his own mother's love: "My mother loves me with all her wings," says Pinpin the penguin (or "flippers" for the seal, "teeth" for the wolf). For Polo, none of these responses sounds quite right; in a series of tender, double-page embraces between him and his mother, he seeks from her the appropriate answer. "Does that mean you love me with all your fur?" he asks. She assures him that she loves him with that and more. Meanwhile, Kern depicts, in simply detailed illustrations, with visibly textured brushwork, the gradual setting of the sun over the icy horizon; and as the shadows lengthen behind the bear cub's applauding friends, soon Polo slumbers beneath the protective paw of his mother. Kern's playful juxtapositions (at one point, many of the baby animals ride on the wolf's back) and close-up, irresistible hugs are ideally suited to the gentle question-and-answer text. Ages 2-6.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-K?Polo, a young polar bear, is puzzled when a friend tells him that his mother loves him with all her heart. As he heads for home, he asks the pals he meets along the way how their mothers love them. Felix, a seal, says that his mother loves him with all her flippers; Pinpin, a penguin, answers, "with all her wings"; etc. When he arrives home, Polo's mother tells him that she loves him with her fur, with her eyes that shine when she sees him, with her paws when she tickles him, etc. Bordering on precious, this is a warmhearted treatment of how children enjoy being assured of their parents' affections. Originally published in Belgium, the adapted English text is approachable and to the point. The oil paintings are done in cool colors, appropriate to the arctic setting. This title would work well as a storyhour read-aloud; children will enjoy seeing Polo being hugged, tickled, and kissed by his doting mother. Young listeners just may be inspired to seek the same undivided attention after hearing it.?Christine A. Moesch, Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (April 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811820319
• ISBN-13: 978-0811820318
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 9.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #381,695 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting art and warm characters spellbind young readers, August 25, 1998

By A Customer

Althought the strength of motherlove is a common theme today in children's books, this work stands out in the hearts of children thanks to the lovable characters and warm, inviting art. This book has found a spot on Grandma's bookshelf, too. The book ends with all being safe, hugged and loved at the top of the world. Readers are sure to feel the same.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is not just one more goopy mother-love book., February 26, 2000

By	M. Henry "Grandma-ellen" (Bellevue, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

By telling about love from the points of view of different animals, this book manages to be warm and comforting and at the same time stretches the imaginations of young children. The pictures are beautiful enough for a child to look at alone, but the book begs to be read aloud. It is a great bedtime book, especially when a toddler's life has been just a bit too hectic or challeging that day.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Warm Story With Lovable Characters, September 13, 2000

By	Paul Martin (Waukesha, WI USA) - See all my reviews

A very good bedtime read for children, 3-8. Children will enjoy Polo, a young polar bear as he questions his various animal friends of how their mothers love them. They each respond with different answers, but ultimately Polo questions his mother of her love for him. Mother tells him of all of the ways that she loves him, and the story ends happily.

There is nothing unique in this story, but children will enjoy it thoroughly. The book is brief, the illustrations are very good, and story is easily understood by children.