No Matter What (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "Small was feeling grim and grumpy..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Gliori (Tell Me Something Happy Before I Go to Sleep) here explores anxiety about the limits of a parent's loveAespecially whether it can survive a bout of pint-size bad behavior. With a gentle, rhyming text and illustrations that exude a snuggly warmth, she offers a reassuring, though ultimately cloying answer. As bedtime nears, a cute little fox named Small who's feeling "grim and grumpy" (and whose parent, Large, is pictured chatting on the phone) acts out by upturning the living room. When Large asks what's wrong, Small begins interrogating Large (neither character's gender is specified): "If I were a grumpy grizzly bear, would you still love me? Would you still care?" "I'd always love you, no matter what," responds Large. As in books like Lisa McCourt's I Love You, Stinky Face, the child ups the ante with unpleasant scenarios: what if Small were some other ostensibly uncuddly creature, like a squishy bug or a crocodile? "No matter what" comes the answer againAand Gliori's warmly comic depictions of Large's abiding affections drive home the unconditionality of parental love. Unfortunately, Gliori pushes her point a bit too hard with a closing treacly analogy to the light of stars: "We may be close, we may be far,/ but our love still surrounds us.../ wherever we are." Still, few authors wear their hearts on their sleeves so effectively. Ages 2-6. (Oct.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

PreSchool-Feeling grumpy, Small, a little fox, has a tantrum that turns the living room topsy-turvy, after which he questions Large about the resiliency and endurance of his parental love-"If I were a grumpy grizzly bear,/would you still love me?/Would you still care?" or "...if I turned into a squishy bug,/would you still love me and give me a hug?" Ever patient, Large reassures him that "I'd always love you,/no matter what...we may be close, we may be far,/but our love still surrounds us.../wherever we are." The charming watercolor illustrations show warm golds and browns with candlelight and fireside indoors and the cold, blue-and-gray night outside. The rhyming text and large, often double-page spreads make this book useful for story programs. There are many recognizable similarities in Small's world and that of a young child's-dinner in a high chair, bath time, bedtime stories, and favorite toys. Great for fans of Barbara Joosse's Mama, Do You Love Me? (Chronicle, 1991) or Sam McBratney's Guess How Much I Love You (Candlewick, 1995).
Marlene Gawron, Orange County Library, Orlando, FL
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Baby-Preschool
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books; 1st edition (September 20, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152020616
• ISBN-13: 978-0152020613
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #39,492 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful story, beautifully illustrated, October 2, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Iowa) - See all my reviews

"No Matter What" has a very simple message, but one that every parent needs to reinforce to their children. That their love is unconditional. Debi Gliori's illustrations are warm, vibrant and beautiful. This book is a keeper, and a great gift item.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Keeper!, July 18, 2000

By A Customer

The guidelines at the top indicate 4-6 years old but my 2 year old loves it. And I love reading it to her. The message makes me feel good but the illustrations are the clincher - we both love looking at it. A great edition to your child's library and a great gift item!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a must have, October 15, 1999

By A Customer

Possibly the only children's book that has moved me to tears (well, for quite a long time!)- deeply reassuring for "older children" like me as well as younger readers. Beautifuly illustrated, and a bonus of visual "did you spot thems?" to keep adults entertained through a gadzillion repeat readings....