How big is love? by Carl Merrison and Hakea Hustler. Illus. by Jade Goodwin

Snuggled together under a patchwork blanket on the veranda, the older woman tells the child that she is loved. Back comes the question, how much? And after that is a long series of comparisons, showing the younger child just how much she is loved.  She is loved from one heart to another, or all the way to the dog lying in the garden, all the way to the goanna on the fence, or to the top of the tallest tree. Each is followed by another question, asking is that all, urging the older person to keep going with more comparisons.

She is loved all the way to the hawk flying high in the sky, to the red cliffs. But each of the questions is edged with tiredness as she snuggles into the patchwork quilt. All the way to the waterhole, and to the end of our country, but by this time the young child’s head is leaning against the old woman’s shoulders.

And to the now sleeping child, she is loved to the setting sun and the emu in the sky.

This is a loving tribute to the love between generations, as the young girl wants to quantify the love shown to her. How big is love is the question offered throughout the book, prompting responses aiming to quantify that love. But as all the readers know, this is impossible, and they will be able to add more lines to the book.

The journey goes across the backyard, the hills, country, to the sky and beyond, encompassing all the love a family can give to each other.

The bright full page illustrations reflect the Australian landscape and young readers will be able to pick out flora and fauna, all the while learning that love is a constant in all families.

Author, Carl Merrison is a respected Jaru/Kija man from Halls Creek and is well known as a mentor and coach. He was the winner of the black&write! Fellowship in 2020 for his young readers' series Backyard Sport, and his debut picture book, My Deadly Boots.

Hakea Hustler is an experienced teacher who has taught in remote Aboriginal communities. And she worked with Carl producing the award winning Black Cockatoo (Magabala Books), which was an Honour book in the CBCA Young Reader Award.

Jade Goodwin is a First Nations illustrator who loves bringing imagination to the fore through her empathetic and bright illustrations hoping to inspire all readers. 

Themes: Aboriginal themes, Love, Family.

Fran Knight