Love You Always

August 15, 2019
Many books have similar titles and highlight the parent-child bond, but this gently flowing rhyme by Stickley elicits new warm, snuggly feelings. Lush, boldly colored illustrations capture Mommy hedgehog and her son, Hedgie, as they amble through the fall woods. When Hedgie notes the turn of seasons, she explains: " 'Everything is changing,' Mommy said. 'It's nature's way. / But change makes nature lovelier with every passing day.' " Hedgie's questions continue. "Mommy... / would you love me MORE...if I change?" Hedgie repeats his question as they encounter other mother-child pairs (squirrels, dragonflies, frogs, and rabbits), and, each time, Mommy explains that she could not love him more. At the end of the walk, Mommy and Hedgie return to their burrow and Hedgie asks the million-dollar question. "But, Mommy...will love always last forever, / even if I change just like the seasons or the weather?" She reassures him: "ALWAYS." The final couplet ties the bow on it: " 'Always,' whispered Hedgie / as he curled up in his bed. / 'Imagine that,' he murmured. 'Just imagine,' Mommy said." All characters are simply and realistically drawn animals but with anthropomorphic facial expressions and body language. The cartoon landscape they dwell in is a benign one, round-lobed oak leaves, flowing water, and other organic shapes exuding comfort. Loving thoughts, especially appropriate for bedtime. (Picture book. 3-5)

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November 22, 2019

PreS-K-A sweet tale about a mother hedgehog and her son. As the woodland animals frolic through the woods, Mother Hedgehog explains that the seasons are changing and that change makes things lovelier with each day. The baby hedgehog asks his mom if she would love him more if he could do different things like the other animals: "Would you love me more if I could dart across the leaves? What if I were like a squirrel dashing through the trees?" His mother assures him that she couldn't love him any more than she already does. Rhyming verse and beautifully colorful illustrations showcase a lush landscape. The anthropomorphic animals with their expressive faces enhance a delightful, relatable read-aloud. There is a strong lesson about the unconditional love of a mother and a child along with the theme of being your own best self and not comparing your skills to others. VERDICT A solid general purchase for picture book collections. This tender read-aloud is perfect for seasonal changes or year-round bedtime sharing.-Kristen Todd-Wurm, Middle Country Public Library, NY

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 16, 2019
In this autumnal ode to unconditional love, two hedgehogs make their way home. As Little Hedgie notices the seasonal changes, he begins to worry that his bond with his mother will alter as well: “Mommy... would you love me MORE... If I changed?” he muses. Sitckley’s gentle rhymes follow the pair’s ramble, using repetition to build a sense of security and warmth. As Little Hedgie ponders whether his mother would love him more if he had other animals’ qualities (squirrels’ agility, dragonflies’ flutters, rabbits’ softness), his mother repeatedly assures him that “I couldn’t love you more.” Blanco’s spreads evoke early fall—the lush nature scenes are accented with bold greens, yellows, and reds—and the creatures are imbued with gentle expressions, creating a comforting tale in the tradition of Guess How Much I Love You. Ages 3–7.