I Love You

I Love You written by Clemency Pearce and illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw (Nosy Crow)  HB RRP $12.99

ISBN 9780857638793

Reviewed by Daniela Andrews

‘When you feel so very small, when no one seems to care at all, what can make you ten feet tall? Three little words …’

This sweet story, told in verse, is based on feelings. Originally published as a hardcover book (Three Little Words), it is now presented in a board book format – perfect for the target age group of 2–4 years. It gives children examples of situations where they might feel ignored, upset, frustrated or shy. It reassures them that in any situation, their parents will be there to comfort them and offer those three little words to make them feel better: ‘I love you’. 

There is a lovely, gentle question/answer pattern to the story that makes it great to read aloud. Children will enjoy chiming in with the phrase ‘I love you’ upon each turn of the page. The author cleverly describes how the phrase can be used in different situations by changing one adjective each time. If the child is feeling small, the answer lies in three ‘little’ words. If the child has lost a race, there are three ‘winning’ words that can help. Feeling left out? Perhaps three ‘sharing’ words will do the trick. If they’re feeling shy, three ‘friendly’ words are what they need.

The ending of the book suddenly changes the pattern of the story by describing five situations where others might not be feeling happy. It helps show children how to empathise with others by suggesting four special words to help them through … ‘I love you too!’ 

The illustrations are colourful and expressive, warm and affectionate. Animals are shown in, first, a negative situation and then a positive one. Beardshaw has used a combination of coloured pencils, watercolours, and overlaid stencils to great effect.

Toddlers and preschoolers will no doubt be enticed by the simple language, repetition, lively pictures … and those seven cutout love hearts on the front cover that they can stick their fingers through!

Emotions in Motion

Emotions in Motion by Rose Stanley, illustrated by Lisa Allen (Starfish Bay Children’s Books)

PB RRP $14.99

ISBN 9780994100290

Reviewed by Leigh Owen

Emotions in Motion is a picture concept book suitable for sharing with 4-8 year olds. On each double page spread an emotion is assigned a colour, a face and a feeling. Rose Stanley’s descriptions of feelings are particularly insightful and imaginative: Confusion feels like walking in a maze of trees that all look the same.

Ten emotions, both positive and negative, are covered.

Lisa Allen’s illustrations are simple yet show some delightful details that children will love to spot (look out for the dragon).The sweet line-drawn characters clearly convey facial expressions and colour washes are either soft or vibrant, to complement each feeling.

There are exercises and discussion points in the back of the book; however, a more natural approach would be to talk about each concept as read. The use of the ‘colour wheel’ at the end of the book doesn’t seem to add value to the core topic of emotions. Also the colour for ‘Peace’ is somewhat inaccurate – that is, stated as bright, sky blue but more of pastel green in the main illustration and wheel. This might be confusing for children still learning their colours.

The value of this book lies it its capacity to promote discussion in which children can verbalise their own feelings and begin to understand the strange and sometimes overwhelming forces that are emotions.

Waiting for Later

Waiting for Later by Tina Matthews (Walker Books)

PB RRP $15.95

ISBN 9781922077035

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

The super-talented Tina Matthews has created a story that immediately brings readers into its theme. How many times as adults, have we said the word ‘later’ to our children or others when they’ve asked for something, but we were busy doing something else?

This poignant story is about Nancy wanting attention, and asking each member of the family for some of their time. But every one of them is occupied with their own activity or work. When? She asks. Later, they all answer.

Later seems far away to Nancy. She climbs the tree outside, and from high up has a bird’s eye view of everyone going about their tasks. She imagines the tree and branches talking to her. She rocks and swings, wriggles and giggles until the moon comes out.

Later arrives. But where is Nancy?

Matthews’ creative and highly imaginative translation of her story is depicted in wood cuts and stencil illustrations. A medium she excels at. The silhouettes of the child on the opposite page to the coloured illustration reflect her isolation from all the people and activity that’s going on within the house. This speaks volumes about the child’s feelings and deepens the sense of meaning about the effect of the word ‘later’. But there is a happy ending.