I Already Know I Love You (Hardcover)

by Billy Crystal (Author), Elizabeth Sayles (Illustrator) "I'm going to be your grandpa!..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Comedian, actor, and director Billy Crystal’s ode to his first grandchild will strike a chord with every expectant grandparent (and parents, too). Readers will feel the sweet anticipation building as Grandpa Crystal dreams about the baby’s upcoming birth. While the writing is at times awkward, the sentiment behind the text is genuine and universal, " I want to feel your heart beat as you lie upon my chest, bait your hook, fly your kite, help you study for a test." The narrator envisions peekaboo, horsey, and visits to the beach with a red-haired tot--his love virtually bubbles over. Pastel illustrations (reminiscent of the dreamy, soft-focus drawings in pregnancy books) by Elizabeth Sayles show the rugged, gray-haired gramps beaming as he partakes of the imagined pleasures to come. Crystal concludes with another awkward yet heartfelt verse:

Your mom is my daughter, and your dad is his mom’s son. You lived within your mommy, but now the time has come. Get ready, sweet little one-- Your life will be just great. I’m going to be your grandpa, and… I can hardly wait.

(All Ages) --Emilie Coulter

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-K–As a grandfather-to-be anticipates the birth of his grandchild, he expresses excitement for all of the special moments and activities he can't wait to share: bear hugs, the ocean, a Yankees game, a movie. The rhyming text is basic and yet effective. Crystal manages to come across as sincere rather than sappy so that the special nature of this intergenerational relationship shines through. As the narrator imagines the future, the soft pastel art depicts the baby nestled snuggly in Grandpa's arms. Other pictures show the wide-eyed red-headed child getting older, her grandpa and a fuzzy stuffed monkey by her side. The longevity and importance of this family relationship is thus visually supported and celebrated. After readers see and hear about all of the enjoyable events that will occur, the book comes full circle and ends with the birth of the child, "Get ready, little sweet one–/your life will be just great./I'm going to be your grandpa, and.../I can hardly wait."–Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, MI
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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (April 13, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060593911
• ISBN-13: 978-0060593919
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 10.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #114,489 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Touched with love, April 17, 2004

By	Eileen Rieback (Coral Springs, FL USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

It is now Billy Crystal's turn to produce a children's book. But this one is different, since it reflects his own experience as a first-time expectant grandfather and is dedicated to his first grandchild Ella. As Grandpa awaits the birth of his grandchild, he dreams of all the things they will share. He envisions them going to the beach, the zoo, a ball game, and the movies. He imparts his wisdom about telling the truth and tying shoes. Together they fly kites, go out to eat, and go fishing. The rhymed verse is phrased in an awkward meter, but nevertheless it reverberates with love, tenderness, and a sense of humor. The soft illustrations depict the imagined activities between grandfather and grandchild, where the child is portrayed at different ages and genders.

Is this a story for an adult or a child? I think the expectant parent or grandparent will appreciate the sentiments more than a young child, since it is written from an adult's point of view and since it has no chronological story line for the child to follow. When shared between a grandparent and grandchild, however, it is certain to impress the child with just how special he/she is in a grandparent's eyes.

Eileen Rieback

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars for every grandpa-to-be, May 12, 2004

By	Rebecca Brown "rebeccasreads" (Clallam Bay, WA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Even on the inside covers of I ALREADY KNOW I LOVE YOU, Billy Crystal tells of his delights as he awaits his grandchild's birth: "I'm waiting to see you in ballet shoes, or is it football pads?..."

Rebeccasreads highly recommends I ALREADY KNOW I LOVE YOU, with its charming images by Elizabeth Sayles, as a perfect book for Grandpas-to-be. It is filled with fun & hugs & ways to welcome your grandchild, of either gender, into your family & the world.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Billy's heart is wide open., April 30, 2004

By	Karen Woodworth Roman "www.librarians.info" (DeKalb, IL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Billy's heart is wide open. Like every good first time grandpa, he eagerly anticipates his grandchild and imagines all the things they will do together. "On the inside cover Billy writes, "I can't believe I'm writing this 'cause I don't know who you are." However, the title says it all, "I already know I love you." Crystal has written a really enjoyable, touching, and sentimental story. The illustrations are soft and dreamy. This storybook is a keeper.