Since its publication in 2001, You Are My I Love You has sold half a million copies worldwide and given voice to the unique love parents feel for their children. Now the creators of this modern classic reunite to honor the special bond between grandparent and grandchild, the one of passing along tradition, joyful spoiling, nurturing imagination, and pure adoration. Whether it's the sharing of stories or romping horsey rides, silly tickle fights or lazy fishing trips, there's truly nothing like it.
With touching, heartfelt words and warm, playful illustrations, Maryann Cusimano Love and Satomi Ichikawa shine their spotlight on this unique relationship. AUTHOBIO: Maryann Cusimano Love lives in Tracy's Landing, Maryland.
Satomi Ichikawa lives in Paris, France.
Children's Literature - Michele C. Hughes
Every page of this dear tale of a grandmother bear and grandchild bear overflows with familial love and joy in both words and illustrations. The language is lovely and lyrical, as metaphors poetically describe first the grandparent and then the grandchild. Often the comparison is complementary, such as "I am your home-baked bread / you are my grape jelly" or phrased in terms of a contrast, such as "I am your wise face / you are my new-tooth smile." As beautiful as the language is, the illustrations are equally charming. Grandmother and grandchild sing to each other, the grandma bear gazing fondly at the open-mouthed, tune-belting child bear. They stare expectantly together into the pond after throwing in a penny with a wish. They snuggle under a tree for a catnap as the grandmother says, "I am your good-night prayer / you are my fast asleep." A slow and sleepy ending makes this book suitable for bedtime reading. Page after page celebrates intergenerational affection with warmth and beauty. The story may prompt discussions with readers about time spent with grandparents and the ways children connect with older generations. Reviewer: Michele C. Hughes
School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 3—A loving bear lists for her grandchild all the things that make their relationship special, wisely observing how they complement one another: "I am your grandparent;/you are my grandchild./I am your wise face;/you are my new-tooth smile." As the two go for a walk, have a picnic, and contentedly fall asleep under a tree, their bond is sweetly illustrated in warm, soft watercolors that beautifully depict their facial expressions and body language. Four endearing small stuffed toys also come along on the outing and are fun to spot on each page as they follow the toddler bear and participate in everything. This team has also produced You Are My I Love You (Philomel, 2001), which has approximately the same type of format but with a parent and child. Although the format may get old if indefinitely repeated (the text is a little too sugary), this is a gentle love song for grandparents to share with their grandchildren.—Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA
Kirkus Reviews
A grandmother teddy bear enjoys a day with her grandchild in this latest entry in the You Are My...series. Ichikawa's soft watercolors place her characters against a clean white background, providing just enough detail that readers will get a sense of the setting. On a spring outing, they picnic, make daisy chains, swing, sing and snuggle. It's a pleasing interlude, as long as readers don't interrogate the text too hard: "I am your strong arms; / you are my fast airplane" works well, particularly as it accompanies a picture of grandma holding her grandchild up high, but "I am your home-baked bread; / you are my grape jelly" is both nonsensical and slightly icky. With too many lines like the latter and not enough like the former, this well-intentioned book sinks under its own metaphors. (Picture book. 3-5)
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