Why Do You Love Me? [Hardcover]

Laura Schlessinger (Author), Daniel McFeeley (Author), Martha Lambert (Contributor)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

So begins this gently reassuring story about a mother's unconditional love. Mother explains to Sammy that it's not what he does that makes her love him -- while she appreciates all the wonderful things he does, she loves him because he's the one and only Sammy in the world, and because he's her son.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The first in a series of children's titles by radio talk-show host Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Why Do You Love Me? (written with Martha Lambert) is a warm and fuzzy 32-page picture book about unconditional love. Unlike the treasured, bunny-centered Guess How Much I Love You, Schlessinger's text--aimed at a similar, if slightly older, age group--is intended to be reality-based. You won't find any fantastical elements here, just a straight conversation between mother and son about the enduring love the mother feels for her child. Unfortunately, the story's low-key "slice of life" approach isn't reflected in Daniel McFeeley's exaggerated, cartoonish line drawings--a stylistic merging of R. Crumb and Jim "Garfield" Davis.

Schlessinger delivers an important message beneath the Sunday-comics-style presentation: A mother's love is forever and always, no matter how her child behaves. Sammy thinks he might be loved because he's good at sports or is helpful around the house. No, Mother explains, it's because "he's the one and only Sammy there will ever be in the whole world--and you're mine. And that's enough for me to love you all the time." Then Sammy asks if there is ever a time when she doesn't love him, and he offers suggestions of recent bad behavior. "I did not love the yelling, or the hitting, or cleaning off the crayon marks," says Mother. "But I still loved you." Further, she says, "the love in my heart is like the sun in the sky. It is always there, even when you can't see it."

The mother here is never shown to be distracted, overwhelmed, snappy, or sad. And parents may bristle that there's no real discussion of the existence or whereabouts of a parent's love when working, absent, sick, or tired. (Dr. Laura would ask now, "Who cares? It's your kids we're thinking about here.") But this story is meant purely to comfort the young child who fears that their parents' love comes and goes at whim. At that, it fully succeeds. (Ages 3 and older) --Jean Lenihan

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1-Books written by celebrities or social-service professionals are often disappointing, but this particular volume by a radio talk-show host is well done. A young boy asks his mother why she loves him and wonders if it's because he picks up his toys and helps his friends. He also wonders why she loves him if he crayons on the walls and loses his temper. She explains that although she doesn't always love what he does, her love is like the sun on a cloudy day-it's always there even though he can't see it. While the message works in context, the illustrations don't, as the heavily drawn cartoons are at odds with the gentle mood of the text. Still, this is a reassuring, warm book to share with youngsters at bedtime or any time when presented with those "why" questions that children are so fond of asking.
Christine A. Moesch, Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins Childrens Books; 1st edition (April 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060278668
• ISBN-13: 978-0060278663
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #559,427 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Laura Schlessinger received her Ph.D. in physiology from Columbia University and holds a post-doctoral certification from the University of Southern California and licensing in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is the author of nine New York Times bestsellers, including THE PROPER CARE AND FEEDING OF MARRIAGE. Her award-winning radio program is internationally syndicated by her Take On The Day company. It's broadcast every day on more than 250 stations, XM Satellite Radio, and the Armed Forces Network, and is stream-linked and podcast on www.drlaura.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for my 3 year old grandson, September 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Why Do You Love Me? (Hardcover)

My grandson listened intently and was thrilled with the illustrations, when I read it to him and his mother. She wasn't too thrilled when I told her I ordered the book, because Dr. Laura is a bit too conservative for her. But once she heard it, she became a big fan. Our only grand/child is no longer an only child since the recent birth of our second. We now have to discipline him because we now have many more constraints in our daily lives. ie, 'quiet, baby sleeping', 'can't play with you right now, have to feed baby', etc.

It helps his parents, and grand-parents explain that we still love him no matter what. Thank you Dr. Laura. Linda

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Way too similar to Miriam Schlein's classic, June 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Why Do You Love Me? (Hardcover)

A friend recommended this book to me, but I found it incredibly similar to Miriam Schlein's classic book _The Way Mothers Are_. Do yourself a favor and check that book out instead--the illustrations are better too!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nearly identical to Martin Baynton's book of the SAME TITLE!, June 21, 1999

By 

K. Gottlieb ([e-mail]) (Yardley, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Why Do You Love Me? (Hardcover)

I liked this book, but I happened to see Martin Baynton's book, also entitled "Why Do You Love Me", copyrighted in '88 and published first in New Zealand in '89. Nearly identical storyline too. I wonder how Mr. Baynton feels (or would feel) about Dr. Laura's "original" story....