I Love You More [Hardcover]

Laura Duksta (Author)

Book Description

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

"The book is considered one of the best selling self-published children's titles of all times and has won numerous awards."
– CITY SMART MAGAZINE

"Digital technology and a little sweat equity helped Laura Duksta pull off an unlikely career switch from bartender to successful children's book author...With $10,000 of her mom's money riding on the first 3000 copies of her children's book... Duksta, who lost her hair due to childhood illness, persevered."
– USA TODAY

"{Her classroom visits and books} promote the self-actualization concepts of human possibility rather than limitation, so the child and adult alike may transform their lives into whatever they dream or imagine."
– FLORIDA SUN SENTINEL

"Disguised as a Children's book, this story is all about how much one person can love another."
– ePREGNANCY MAGAZINE

"The day we received I Love You More my wife read it over the phone to our youngest child. The conversation of love it sparked was magical."
-Jack Canfield, Co-author of CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE KID'S SOUL

"I love this book because it deals with the most powerful thing in the world...love"
-Mark Victor Hansen, Co-author of the CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL SERIES

"In my entire life I've never read a children's book that has touched me so deeply. I Love You More is simply, elegant and moving. It's impossible for anyone to read this book without their hearts opening with tears of gratitude and love."
-Dr. John F. Demartini, Author of COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS, featured in the movie phenomenon THE SECRET

"I Love You More shines as a pure expression of the heart. I wish everyone could ready this book and live its glowing message."–Alan Cohen, Author of A DEEP BREATH OF LIFE

"I cannot get enough of I Love You More. I actually first saw it under the Christmas tree at The White House during a Christmas party over a year ago. It is, by far, my favorite book to read to my boys. It truly touches my heart every time I read it and wanted to thank you writing and illustrating this book." -Carly Glazier

Experience the bestseller that has sparked the conversation of love around the world!

I love you brighter than
the brightest star ever shone.
I love you more, so much more
than you've ever known.

Were you ever told, "You know I love you?" Or have you ever felt that you did not tell someone you loved them enough? Reach out and embrace I Love You More, a timeless gift you will share again and again.

Too often love is assumed and not spoken. Love should be seen, heard, felt, sensed, shown, expressed, talked about-and more! Reading I Love You More will become a game, a conversation of love, that people, especially parents and
children, can share for years.

This cleverly conceived flip story, which ends in the middle and starts from either side, will show you what love looks like from both a child and a parent's perspective. With a
simple, touching story, rhyme and rhythm, and vibrant child-like illustrations, this book will be treasured by anyone who has ever said "I love you" and heard the best response in the world: "I LOVE YOU MORE."

A Little Bit About the Author:
The first thing people notice about Laura is that she is bald. Laura lost all of her hair to Alopecia Areata at the age of 11. It took her many years to love herself and to allow others to love her. Laura believes that when people know they are loved-anything is possible. This is the power of the message of her first book I Love You More, written for her nephew Tyler. Laura knew from a young age that she was meant to travel the world, meet her brothers and sisters and spread the message of love. She is now fulfilling this mission through her book, school programs and inspirational talks.

Laura resides in Fort Lauderdale surrounded by the love of her family and friends.

A Little Bit About the Illustrator
Karen earned the nickname "Hippie" from her love for people and the planet. She loves all things that connect her to nature including surfing and gardening. She's an avid vegetarian who practices yoga and meditation. Karen is a professional photographer and now illustrator capturing the world's magic and love through her pictures.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The most books of any one title I've sold this year." -- Barry Stoll, owner Learning Express, Boca Raton, FL, April 2002

"This book offers a spiritual solution to any and all problems that may ever arise for a child." -- Wayne Dyer, author and teacher, November 11, 2001

... shines as a pure expression of the heart. I wish everyone could read this book and live its glowing message -- Alan Cohen. author of A Deep Breath of Life, May 10, 2002 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

I Love You More was published by I Shine, Inc in December of 2001. Their missio is to generate the conversation of love around the world. I Shine, Inc was started by author Laura Duksta and illustrator Karen Keesler, with an investment from Laura's mom, a kindergarten teacher for 37 years. They ordered 3000 copies to start. They set up a project to sell 3000 books in 3 months and realized that they would quickly need more books. They ordered their next 10,000 almost as soon as their first edition arrived. I Love You More was placed on Amazon and in high end gift galleries and exclusive children's shops across the country. As of 2005 I Love You More is available in 47 states in over 400 stores and is sold by book displayers in the US and Canada as well as Australia. They have since sold 157,000 copies. --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
  
• Hardcover: 34 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (October 17, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402211260
• ISBN-13: 978-1402211263
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 9.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,726 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #59 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Family Life > Parents
  • #77 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Sleep

More About the Author

Laura grew up just outside of Boston at her families restaurant on the ocean. In 1991 she relocated to South Florida living again just a block away from the beach. She loves to watch the sunrise and moonrise over the ocean-especially with her nieces and nephews.

I Love You More is her first book-she actually went from being a bartender to a best-selling author in the last few years. The book was an answer to a prayer, written for her oldest nephew Tyler. Laura is incredibly grateful for the inspiration that literally changed her life.

In 2001, she and illustrator Karen Keesler, started I Shine, Inc and self-published their book. They sold over 179,000 copies on their own until partnering with Sourcebooks at the end of 2007. In 2008, with their publishers help, I Love You More hit the New york Times Best Sellers List three times. Their mission is "to generate the conversation of love around the world" and they are doing just that-they receive orders and emails from all over the globe. ILYM is now available in Korean and Hebrew. They have won several awards and have been written up in in many local and national publications, including USA Today.

Laura's favorite thing to do is going into schools and sharing her program "Self-Esteem through Love". Losing her hair at age 11, to a disease called Alopecia Areata, made her realize how tough it is when young people feel like they don't fit in. Her program teaches students to celebrate and be empowered by their differences rather than being stopped by them and inspires them to be their very best.

Laura never dreamed of being an author but she is very glad that she took what seemed to be a good idea and turned it into a mini empire of love!

Shine On!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming- A Must Have Book, July 23, 2002

By 

janice -parent and teacher (Lake Worth,, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Love You More (Hardcover)

I LOVE this book! As a mom and a teacher, this book grabbed me as soon as I read it. The rhyming text and colorful illustrations appeal to all while the message is so heartwarming and simple that anyone who reads it will understand. The specialness of the flip-sided book adds to the excitement of wanting more and feeling fulfulled when it is finished. I can't wait to read it in my classroom and have my students, make their own "I Love Your More Books". What a great gift idea!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful children's book, August 8, 2003

By 

a mom and a teacher (Boynton Beach, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Love You More (Hardcover)

What a wonderful story about the special relationship between a mother and her son. Laura Duksta, the author, came to speak at my school (for the teachers) and told us the inspirational story of her life. What a woman! When she read her book to us, it was such a heartwarming story that there was barely a dry eye in the room. I recommend this to everyone, but ESPECIALLY moms with sons!!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WARM AND REASSURING, October 29, 2007

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I Love You More (Hardcover)

A warm, reassuring story related in lilting rhyme I LOVE YOU MORE is the answer to a small boy's question, "Mommy, just how much do you love me?" Her replies are in verse form with simple, everyday objects representing the depth and breadth of her love.

For instance, "I love you higher than the highest bird ever flew. I love you taller than the tallest tree ever grew."

The book is flip-sided so it may be read from front to back or back to front, thus the book never ends just as a mother's love never does.

Illustrations by Karen Kessler are full-page, bright in primary colors.

This is a story so appealing that even when youngsters know it by heart they'll want to hear it again and again. It's a lovely way for mothers to remind young ones of how very much they care.

- Gail Cooke