MY LOVE FOR YOU ALL YEAR ROUND
by Susan L. Roth & illustrated by Susan L. Roth
Roth revisits the theme of My Love for You (1997), this time giving it a seasonal ambiance. A pair of mice explains the affection they have for each other, likening the depth of their emotion to the shifting nuances of the seasons. Toddler-perfect analogies envelop readers in a comforting embrace. Beginning with the frostiest and first month on the calendar, the simple prose captures the essence of each month, how their love surpasses even the brightness of May flowers or the sheer volume of July fireworks. Roth’s collages of meticulously cut and placed paper fragments fuse together into a kaleidoscope of textures and hues. Fragile tissue paper, gently scrunched, is layered over denser paper stock to create the dimensional backgrounds on which she lays her cut-and-torn images, resulting in a fascinating array of illustrations. The comforting text, combined with the stunning collages, provides a compelling exploration of the year and its seasons for young readers. (Picture book. 2-6)