Hands down, YOU ARE MY I LOVE YOU by Maryann Cusimano has to be my favorite picture book of all time. I honestly had never heard of it until I received a copy of it at my baby shower, then I flipped through it and—wow. To those naysayers who claim anyone can write a picture book because there’s nothing to it, I say read this. This is craft.
The magic of YOU ARE MY I LOVE YOU is in its simplicity—back-and-forth simile-driven rhymes that show the special relationship between a patient and loving parent and a curious and energetic child. “I am your parent, you are my child/I am your quiet place, you are my wild.” Satomi Ichikawa’s gorgeous watercolor illustrations really capture the joy not only of being a child but also of being a parent watching the world through your child’s eyes. “I am your water wings, you are my deep/I am your open arms, you are my running leap.”
I read this book to my daughter for the first time when she was 3 days old. Picture me sitting in a rocking chair, bawling my eyes out while I read to a fast-asleep newborn. “I am your carriage ride, you are my king/I am your push, you are my swing.” I love this book so much that I hand it out like it’s candy. Baby shower? Here you go! First birthday party? Enjoy! Just found out you’re pregnant? Happy reading! You can’t go wrong with this book.
Have you read YOU ARE MY I LOVE YOU? Thoughts?
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