You Are My I Love You

The first time I read this book I cried in the middle of the book store. I bought it for my two year old daughter. It took me reading it at least fifteen more times before I could get through it with out choking up. The words may be "corny", but isn't that how we feel about our little ones. The book describes my deepest feelings in words my daughter can understand. I love reading it to her.

I purchased this book for Christmas for my 22 month old daughter and like others, cried the first time I read it. During Christmas, I was overheard reading it to my child by her grandparents, and they too, stood there with tears in their eyes saying it was the sweetest book they have heard. Please do not listen to the Publisher's Weekly review...it is quite obvious the person who gave such a negative review does not have children. My daughter sat still while I read it as rhyming kept her attention as well as the day-to-day activities of the bear were similar to hers. This is a book to be treasured!

Listen to a parent rather than a book critic talk about this book: After a long day of chasing my toddler, I settle her down for bed with this story. It soothes both of our tired bodies, and my tired spirit. She whispers "Hi, Teddy!" with every page turn, as if it is the first time she has seen him. He is her loyal friend, on every page and always happy. This book relaxes her so well. And it reminds me of the joy and priviledge of being a parent, so that when I leave her room for the night I don't feel beaten to pieces but made whole by my daughter's spirit. This book is a great gift for parents - the one they will pull off the shelf for that bedtime story.

I've been moved to write my own review so others can read this instead of the surprisingly negative editor's review on this wonderful book. I am a new mother and have a 5 month old daughter. As I stood in the book store flipping through each page, I could not hold back some little tears. Yes, some of the rymn does not work 'perfectly', but it doesn't matter. The pictures are wonderful, and it sums up some very deep emotions with very simple words. I now know what other mothers meant when they used to tell me, 'You just can't describe the love you feel for your child...there is nothing else in the world like it..' Now I know. I bought this book so I can read it to my baby now and for the rest of her life! A little dramatic, I know, but this book deserves a better review. Enjoy this book with your little one too.

I bought this book for my daughter's second birthday, and as I stood in the bookstore thumbing through it, I cried. No other children's book, even classics like "Guess How Much I Love You" adequately expresses the loving relationship I have with my children, especially with my daughter, whom I almost lost at birth. "I am your water wings, you are my deep" touched me more than I can adequately convey. I,too, was disappointed with the "Publisher's Weekly" review, as everyone I have shown the book to has had the same reaction: tears of genuine emotion. The illustrations, of course, are just as touching. For the young children who will read this book, or have it read to them, nothing can be more comforting than the solid reassurance of a parent's love. "You are My I Love You" is a perfect gift.