by E L Swist

Created on: March 25, 2009   Last Updated: March 27, 2009

Sam McBatney and Anita Jeram collaborate in creating a simple yet warm and endearing story entitled "Guess How Much I Love You." This lovely tale of affection between a parent and child is certainly one to add to any child's book collection. If you are looking for an easy and heartwarming read that can be enjoyed not only by the very young but also by parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and caregivers, then this is the perfect book! The simplicity of this highly relatable story and its underlying message make this book easy to enjoy. Anyone who either is a child, or has a child they love in their lives can easily see themselves in these lovable characters.

The tale begins with the adorable Little Nutbrown Hare getting ready to go to bed. Wanting to be absolutely sure that Big Nutbrown Hare can hear, Little Nutbrown Hare holds Big Nutbrowns Hare's ears and leans in close and says "Guess how much I love you." What follows is a game of sorts in which Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare try to show each other how much each of them loves the other.

As the story progresses, Little Brown Hare soon discovers that he cannot stretch his arms as wide as his companion or stretch his arms as high up in the air. Nor can he hop as high as big Nutbrown Hare. No matter what he tries, Little Nutbrown Hare can't seem to do anything that Big Nutbrown Hare cannot do bigger or better. Until finally at the end when Little Nuitbrown Hare is slowly starting to fall asleep when he sees the moon off in the distance. Nothing could be father than the moon.

Little Nutbrown Hare tells Big Nutbrown Hare that he loves him all the way up to the moon. Satisfied and sleepy his eyes close and he falls asleep. Big Nutbrown Hare lovingly puts him to bed on some leaves and whispers, "I love you right to the moon- and back."

This book is a joy to read. The illustrations are lovely and the story is straightforward and uncomplicated while remaining deeply touching and memorable. As you read the actions in the book are simple for children to mimic which is something that kids enjoy and makes it easy for an adult to get them more involved in the process of reading. This story also gives the reader and the child a basis for a new game that can be played long after the book has been read and placed back on the shelf. The door is open for children and parents alike to show their feelings and express their love in their own playful and creative way.

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