Publisher's Hardcover ©2007 | -- |
Toy and movable books. Specimens.
Love. Juvenile fiction.
Mothers and sons. Juvenile fiction.
Love. Fiction.
Mothers and sons. Fiction.
Toy and movable books.
A mother tells her son that she loves him “higher than the highest bird ever flew, /...taller than the tallest tree ever grew.” The son responds that he loves his mother even more, and by flipping the book over, readers can see how he expresses their relationship: “I love you quieter than the quietest caterpillar ever creeped/...further than the furthest frog ever leaped.” The two versions, mother's and son's, meet in the middle, expressed by text circling a globe— “I love you more than anything in the whole wide world”—so that the book's two-in-one format becomes an embodiment of the endless reciprocity of parent-child love. First-time author Kuksta's declarations feel honest and age-appropriate; Mom's words bring to mind classic pop songs, while the boy usually expresses his feelings by comparing them to lollipops, swings and rocket ships. But former photographer Keesler's pastel artwork and “Love is…” characterizations never rise above greeting-card level, offering little reason to choose this book over the many others that share its <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">Runaway Bunny/<EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">Guess How Much I Love You sentiments and construct. Ages 4-up. <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">(Nov).
ALA Booklist (Thu Nov 01 00:00:00 CDT 2007)There are many books that feature a mother telling her child how much she loves him or her. That's what happens here, too. But after reading about how much a mother loves her son, children can flip the book over and be treated to the boy telling his mother the same thing. Although the rhymes are sometimes forced, and the mother's words are conventional (I love you taller than the tallest tree ever grew), the boy's observations have a sweet, kidlike quality: I love you longer than the longest lollipop ever lasted. The artwork has the look of a child's own brightly colored drawing, with figures slightly out-of-proportion, eyes wide, mouths a slash of a line. Cheeriness is the overarching feeling from the art, as both mother and child stretch to explain how much the other is loved.
Horn Book (Tue Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2008)In the first half of this rhyming book, a mother tells her son how much she loves him. Readers flip the book over to find the second half, in which the boy describes his love for his mom. The design, with both sections ending on the same double-page spread, is clever; however, the illustrations are unremarkable and the text gushingly sentimental.
School Library JournalPreS-Gr 2-Two books in one. Read one way, it is the parent who responds to the child's question, "just how much do you love me?" With the book turned over and read from the back, the mother asks the question of her son. Both answers are given in rhyming couplets as the pair try to prove the depth and strength of their love. Some of the rhymes work well, but others seem forced, e. g., "I love you longer than the longest path ever wound./I love you prettier than the prettiest flower ever found." At the middle, where the two books meet, readers see that the two love one another "more than anything in the whole wide world." The large illustrations are colorful and childlike, but the text trips the tongue. Similar titles, such as Sam McBratney's Guess How Much I Love You (Candlewick, 1995), are more lyrical to read. Consider this one an additional purchase.-Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.
Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)
ALA Booklist (Thu Nov 01 00:00:00 CDT 2007)
Horn Book (Tue Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2008)
School Library Journal
Walking outdoors one day a little boy turned to his mother and asked, "Mommy, just how much do you love me?"
Surprised at the question but with no delay, she replied with a smile...
I love you higher than the highest bird ever flew.
I love you longer than the longest path ever wound.
I love you deeper than the deepest fish ever swam.
Excerpted from I Love You More by Laura Duksta, Karen Keesler
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
"The book is considered one of the best selling self-published children's titles of all times and has won numerous awards." CITY SMART MAGAZINE "Digital technology and a little sweat equity helped Laura Duksta pull off an unlikely career switch from bartender to successful children's book author...With $10,000 of her mom's money riding on the first 3000 copies of her children's book... Duksta, who lost her hair due to childhood illness, persevered." USA TODAY "{Her classroom visits and books} promote the self-actualization concepts of human possibility rather than limitation, so the child and adult alike may transform their lives into whatever they dream or imagine." FLORIDA SUN SENTINEL "Disguised as a Children's book, this story is all about how much one person can love another." ePREGNANCY MAGAZINE "The day we received I Love You More my wife read it over the phone to our youngest child. The conversation of love it sparked was magical." -Jack Canfield, Co-author of CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE KID'S SOUL "I love this book because it deals with the most powerful thing in the world...love" -Mark Victor Hansen, Co-author of the CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL SERIES "In my entire life I've never read a children's book that has touched me so deeply. I Love You More is simply, elegant and moving. It's impossible for anyone to read this book without their hearts opening with tears of gratitude and love." -Dr. John F. Demartini, Author of COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS, featured in the movie phenomenon THE SECRET "I Love You More shines as a pure expression of the heart. I wish everyone could ready this book and live its glowing message."Alan Cohen, Author of A DEEP BREATH OF LIFE "I cannot get enough of I Love You More. I actually first saw it under the Christmas tree at The White House during a Christmas party over a year ago. It is, by far, my favorite book to read to my boys. It truly touches my heart every time I read it and wanted to thank you writing and illustrating this book." -Carly Glazier Experience the bestseller that has sparked the conversation of love around the world I love you brighter than the brightest star ever shone. I love you more, so much more than you've ever known. Were you ever told, "You know I love you?" Or have you ever felt that you did not tell someone you loved them enough? Reach out and embrace I Love You More, a timeless gift you will share again and again. Too often love is assumed and not spoken. Love should be seen, heard, felt, sensed, shown, expressed, talked about-and more Reading I Love You More will become a game, a conversation of love, that people, especially parents and children, can share for years. This cleverly conceived flip story, which ends in the middle and starts from either side, will show you what love looks like from both a child and a parent's perspective. With a simple, touching story, rhyme and rhythm, and vibrant child-like illustrations, this book will be treasured by anyone who has ever said "I love you" and heard the best response in the world: "I LOVE YOU MORE." A Little Bit About the Author: The first thing people notice about Laura is that she is bald. Laura lost all of her hair to Alopecia Areata at the age of 11. It took her many years to love herself and to allow others to love her. Laura believes that when people know they are loved-anything is possible. This is the power of the message of her first book I Love You More, written for her nephew Tyler. Laura knew from a young age that she was meant to travel the world, meet her brothers and sisters and spread the message of love. She is now fulfilling this mission through her book, school programs and inspirational talks. Laura resides in Fort Lauderdale surrounded by the love of her family and friends. A Little Bit About the Illustrator Karen earned the nickname "Hippie" from her love for people and the planet. She love