A BOOK OF LOVES
by Cynthia Rylant ; illustrated by Cynthia Rylant
Love is love is love in this collection of what is most loved.
Right from the start, the title says it all. Rylant breaks down that which is most beloved to felines, canines, and children. We learn that cats love everything from boxes to friends to toys. Dogs adore sticks, couches, and company, while kids are enamored of bubbles, cake, stories, helicopters, and games of catch. And, of course, everyone loves love. Each image is set against a white background, with colorful acrylic paints rendered in a childlike style; a full page is devoted to each cherished object. Rylant’s images are the epitome of sweetness: A pair of cats sit on a fence; a child gently blows bubbles as a puppy looks on. It’s a simple premise, with text largely consisting of the named objects (“biscuits / puddles // dirt / trucks”), and the tale may not hold up to multiple reads. Still, educators and caregivers seeking an introduction to love or a Valentine’s Day tale for the younger set will come away pleased; opportunities abound for little ones to make their own lists. Human characters vary in skin tone.
Tenderly expressed sentiments, ideal for Valentine’s Day.
(Picture book. 3-5)