The kids and I [...]]]> A few weeks ago I told you about My Heart is Like a Zoo, a new children’s picture book which has quickly become a favorite in our house.  We love Michael Hall’s bright illustrations, finding the hearts incorporated into the pictures, and the way he has assigned human moods to the animals.

The kids and I have sorted throught the stack of pictures books that have arrived in our house over the past few months, and have culled two additional “love”-themed books to share with you in time for Valentine’s Day gift-giving.  Like My Heart is Like a Zoo, neither of these mentions Valentine’s Day, so you can get year-round enjoyment from them.

Selma Mandine’s Kiss Kiss was originally published in 2008 in France as Bisous Bisous; it’s adorable, and I’m so glad the English translation is available from Golden Books.  This isn’t the iconic Golden Book I was raised on, it’s a standard-size picture book with illustrations across two-page glossy spreads inside.  Texture and shading make the pictures really pop!

Kiss Kiss is a conversation between a teddy bear who asks “What’s a kiss like?” and a boy who explains that a kiss is ”supersoft, like cuddly wool”  and that “sometimes, just like a cactus, it prickles” (accompanied by a picture of Daddy and his 5-o’clock shadow).   Their Q&A ends with:

Sorry, but I still don’t understand exactly what a kiss is.

Oh!  Well, here’s one ….

Hmmmm, it’s soft and warm and fresh … It’s delicious!  Can you give me a lot more?

Of course I can.  I love you ….

(awww!)

You’re Lovable to Me is written by Kat Yeh, illustrated by Sue Anderson.  This is a nice reminder of unconditional love between parents and children, even when those children grow older and become parents themselves.  My kids loved the bunny family, saying it reminded them of us, all those bunny children hopping around, and Daddy Bunny nowhere to be found (apparently, like J, Daddy Bunny was out of town on business when the book was written). 

“It had been a big day … It had been a hard night.” and the little bunnies sniff “We’re sorry!” as Mama tucks them in.  She replies (in part):

“No matter what your feelings are, whatever they may be …

I’m your mama.  You’re my bunnies.

And you’re lovable to me.”

Mama bunny puts her little ones to bed, cleans up the house, and falls asleep on the sofa.  Grandpa bunny finds her there when he stops by for an evening cup of tea.  He wraps a blanket around her, kisses her on the head and whispers:

“When a papa loves a bunny, he still loves her when she’s grown …

with a home that’s filled with love and hope and bunnies of her own.

When a papa loves a bunny, that’s the way it will always be.

I’m your papa.  You’re still my bunny.

And you’re lovable to me.”

I appreciated this reminder that parents are grown-up children, never too big to benefit from a little snuggle!

FTC disclosure:  books were provided by the publisher

She is Too [...]]]> My Heart is Like a Zoo by Michael Hall

Back-of-the-book blurb: A heart can be hopeful, or silly, or happy. A heart can be rugged, or snappy, or lonely. A heart holds every different feeling, and debut author-artist Michael Hall captures each one.

She is Too Fond of Books’ review: Greenwillow Books is an imprint of HarperCollins that has been publishing children’s books for over 35 years.  Remember I told you about the HarperCollins new title introduction at ALA Midwinter?  My Heart is Like a Zoo was one of the featured children’s books, and I can why it was chosen to spotlight!

A look at the cover shows you the type of bright colorful illustrations you’ll find in the book; each page (or double-page spread) describes an emotion and connects it to an animal with heart-centric (is that a word?  If not, it should be!) pictures.  Whether a reader’s heart is “eager as a beaver,” “silly as a seal,” or “happy as a herd of hippos drinking apple juice,” he’ll enjoy finding the many heart shapes that Hall uses to create the animals.

My youngest book-tester (age 5) learned a few new words to express his feelings (crafty and gloomy) and a great adjective that describes a rather large walrus (portly).  He insisted on counting the hearts in each illustration, and giggled at the thoughts of a quiet “caterpillar wearing knitted socks.”

As a read-aloud, My Heart is Like a Zoo has a nice rhythm, which makes it easier for non-readers to learn to “read” it and enjoy on their own.

Though not intended as a seasonal book for Valentine’s Day, this is a nice (not syrupy!) way to honor a special young (or older!) person.  The colors, shapes, and text subject (emotions) earn it a spot on the year-round bookcase.

Enjoy this video which shows some of the illustrations from My Heart is Like a Zoo: