Why Do You Love Me? (Hardcover)

by Laura Schlessinger (Author), Daniel McFeeley (Author), Martha Lambert (Contributor) "Sammy's mother finished his bedtime story and kissed him on the tip of his nose..." (more)

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.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins Childrens Books; 1st edition (April 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060278668
• ISBN-13: 978-0060278663
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,246,447 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 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

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

10 of 11 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

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!

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book!, April 14, 2000

By A Customer

What an excellent book to share with children of all ages! This is one of my favorite childrens book. It helps explain to children what it means when you say " I love you". Sammy's questions to his mother are questions many children have, but don't necessarily ask. Reading this book helps them to understand that no matter what they do-good or bad, their parents will love them always. They may be angry with them or upset, but that dosen't mean that their love for their children has stopped. I recommend this book to anyone who loves to read. This is a message everyone should hear and understand no matter what age.