You are loved board book by Liv Downing. Illus. by Mel Matthews

A large board book suitable for parents to hold when reading to their small child, the words and pictures all underscore the fact that the child is loved. Rhyming stanzas contain opposite lines, one where the child is loved for doing what is asked, followed by a line which is the opposite but reprising the fact that they are loved. Loved when teeth are cleaned, and loved when they are not, loved when they win the race and loved when they don’t. The underlying theme for any child to pick up is that love is unconditional, love is given freely, love is always there.

Any child having this book read to them will feel comforted and comfortable in knowing that those about them love them. The book itself has a heart in the centre of each page, with overlapping pieces giving an almost kaleidoscope effect. This will draw in the reader wanting a closer look at the effect it gives, trying to understand heart that is shown. The resulting hole cut out in each page is part of the illustration for that page and will intrigue readers as they listen to the text paralleling what can be seen.

It is quite a heavy book so is more for adults to hold to read to the children or for the book to be flat on a table with eager faces poring over it. The large illustrations and cut out pages will be a draw card as well as the reassurance that every child is loved.

Themes: Love.

Fran Knight