Review: Love Is

Perfect for Valentine’s Day—or any tender moment—this story of a girl and a duckling who share a touching year together will melt hearts old and young. In this tenderly funny book, girl and duckling grow in their understanding of what it is to care for each other, discovering that love is as much about letting go as it is about holding tight. Children and parents together will adore this fond exploration of growing up while learning about the joys of love offered and love returned.

When a little girl discovers a lost little duckling, she carefully, tenderly raises it, until finally it’s ready to be released into the world. Though it is hard for the little girl to say goodbye to her little duck, she is eventually reunited with her old friend, who has made a little family of her own.

This is an utterly charming picture book. The text is sweet and poetic, and Claire Keane’s soft illustrations will steal your heart. Our plucky heroine is captivating, and her relationship with the adorable little duck is just wonderful.

 Of course, I can’t help feeling that Love Is is a picture book designed more for parents than for their small children. Parents will smile knowingly as they watch the little girl care for her baby duck, knowing all too well the joys and tribulations of loving a little one. They will tear up at the thought of letting their little ones go, proudly watching them venture out into the world, and maybe one day start families of their own. Children may delight in the illustrations, but it’s parents who will truly be touched by this loving tale. And I don’t mind this at all – I think it’s a terrible shame that we have declared picture books only suitable for young children, when this medium can be used to wonderful effect to tell all sorts of stories, for all sorts of audiences.

If you’re looking for a beautiful gift for expectant parents (or grandparents!), Love Is would be a lovely choice!

LOVE IS

Hardcover, 32 pages
January 24, 2017 : Chronicle Books 
Source: Raincoast Books