A Book of Love

November 1, 2019
A how-to book of love. Valentine's Day brings a new crop of books each year about love, including at least one that attempts to define and exemplify love. This is that book for 2020. "We often show our love with touch, / like a great big hug or kiss. / But there are lots of ways to show you care, / and ideas not to miss." These include being patient, listening to someone who's having a tough day, gifts, kind deeds (like washing the dishes), "forgiving and forgetting," sharing with siblings, standing up for people, and looking past faults. In some cases, the pictures may not aid much in comprehension, especially with the younger audience the rhymes are meant to appeal to: "To offer a gentle word or two, / and consider how others feel, / are both examples of selfless acts / that prove your love is real" (one child cheers on a frightened soloist at a recital--does that really illustrate selflessness?). The meter is sometimes off, and in a few cases it's clear words were chosen for rhyme rather than meaning. Bright illustrations fill the pages with adorable children readers can trace throughout the book. The final two spreads are the strongest: One depicts a robustly diverse crowd of people all holding hands and smiling; the other is a starry spread over a neighborhood full of homes, hearts spangling the sky. A nice sentiment marred somewhat by its forced verse. (Picture book. 3-6)

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December 16, 2019
This volume examines the many definitions of love—in unevenly rhyming text, Randall describes helping elders, giving presents, and forgiving slights, among other kind acts. The rhymes can feel a touch simple: “We often show our love with touch,/ like a great big hug or kiss./ But there are lots of ways to show you care,/ and ideas not to miss.” Still, Randall’s joyful heart-spangled scenes, featuring wide-eyed figures, exude warmth, syncing with the story best when celebrating inclusivity: a spread upon which a large, diverse group of people hold hands reads, “We’re all wonderfully different,/ and come in many colors and sizes./ If we love each other just as we are,/ just watch how everyone rises.” Attentive readers will notice a subtle visual message of paying kindness forward—a worthy one, despite the book’s greeting-card tone. Ages 3–7.

September 15, 2019
Preschool-G This book takes an action-oriented approach to love, presenting scenarios where children can show their love for others. It starts with an engaging double-spread where 15 kids of varying skin tones play in the trees, which have linked platforms, ladders, and wooden bridges, all of which convey the idea of making connections. From there, we go to everyday settings including a farmer's market, a sink with dirty dishes piled high, a sidewalk, a child's bedroom. In each place, there's an opportunity to show love?by being patient with a slow-walking grandparent at the market, tackling the dishes, sharing toys. Listening is emphasized, but so is speaking out against bullies. The rhyming text, while sometimes feeling like a greeting card, works for conveying simple, profound truths. Randall's charming folk-art illustrations, done with paint, pencils, pencil crayons, and digital media, are crowded with hearts and children of many colors and sizes. A climactic spread shows dozens of people?a diverse group of children and adults?holding hands in a show of unity. A nifty action plan for love.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)