Starred Review An endearing nursery game is beautifully revitalized in this comforting, sleepy-time picture book. A little hare tests his father's love by declaring his own: Guess how much I love you . . . This much. Jeram's double-page-spread watercolors are just right for the gentle competition that ensues as parent and child each avow affection in ever more expansive terms. Neither sugary nor too cartoonlike, the watercolors, in soft shades of brown and greens with delicate ink-line details, warmly capture the loving relationship between parent and child as well as the comedy that stems from little hare's awe of his wonderful dad. The story ends with a declaration of love so great it reaches right up to the moon, and little hare finally falls fast asleep. There's not a wrong note in this tender tale, which should become an enduring bedtime favorite--right up there with Goodnight Moon (Reviewed Mar. 15, 1995)

It's hard to believe that a pop-up wasn't the creators' original intention, so seamlessly do moveable parts dovetail into this modern classic's storyline. In contrast to the tale's 1998 pop-up version, the figures here move on every page, and with an unusually graceful naturalism to boot. From pulling down Big Nutbrown Hare's ears on the opening spread to make sure he's listening to drowsily turning his head to accept a final good-night kiss in a multi-leveled pull-down tableau at the close, all of Little Nutbrown Hare's hops, stretches and small gestures serve the poetically spare text--as do Big Nutbrown's wider, higher responses to his charge's challenges. As readers turn a flap to read Big Nutbrown's "But I love you this much," his arms extend to demonstrate. The emotional connection between the two hares is clearer than ever in Jeram's peaceful, restrained outdoor scenes, which are slightly larger than those in the trade edition, and the closing scene is made even more intimate by hiding the closing line ("I love you right up to the moon--and back") until an inconspicuous flap is opened up. The book is available in just about every format--but this is the perfect one. (Pop-up picture book. 3-6)

Paper engineering by Corina Fletcher. The original text of this popular sentimental picture book is paired with pop-up illustrations. The resulting gift book retains the feel of the original. Large flaps reveal Big Nutbrown Hare reaching up to the sky or swinging Little Nutbrown Hare up off the pages of the book.

It's hard to believe that a pop-up wasn't the creators' original intention, so seamlessly do moveable parts dovetail into this modern classic's storyline. In contrast to the tale's 1998 pop-up version, the figures here move on every page, and with an unusually graceful naturalism to boot. From pulling down Big Nutbrown Hare's ears on the opening spread to make sure he's listening to drowsily turning his head to accept a final good-night kiss in a multi-leveled pull-down tableau at the close, all of Little Nutbrown Hare's hops, stretches and small gestures serve the poetically spare text--as do Big Nutbrown's wider, higher responses to his charge's challenges. As readers turn a flap to read Big Nutbrown's "But I love you this much," his arms extend to demonstrate. The emotional connection between the two hares is clearer than ever in Jeram's peaceful, restrained outdoor scenes, which are slightly larger than those in the trade edition, and the closing scene is made even more intimate by hiding the closing line ("I love you right up to the moon--and back") until an inconspicuous flap is opened up. The book is available in just about every format--but this is the perfect one. (Pop-up picture book. 3-6)

PreS-K--In this simple story, a father and son try to outdo one another in expressing their affection. Little Nutbrown Hare says that he loves his father as high as he can reach. Big Nutbrown Hare replies that he loves his son as high as he can reach--which is very high. Father seems to be winning--until the young rabbit tells dad that he loves him right up to the moon--which his father agrees is very far away. But as he kisses his son goodnight, he replies, ``I love you right up to the moon--and back.'' The watercolor illustrations are composed of scratchy lines and large areas of watery washes that are charming, but not too sweet. Large typeface and repetitive refrains invite beginning readers. It's refreshing and realistic to see a father and son relationship that is both competitive and loving.--Karen K. Radtke, Milwaukee Public Library