Tag: book review

I will never forget the first time I read, Love You Forever, a 1986 children’s book written by Robert Munsch and illustrated by Sheila McGraw. While the book has been in circulation for over 30 years, I encountered it for the first time just a few years ago when I became a new mom. I still remember the feeling of disbelief as the book I thought would be a light read with cute pictures had unexpectedly moved me to tears.  

The story is centered around a mother who sings a lullaby to her sleeping son during various stages of his life. As you watch the son grow, you see the mother go through the many challenges of raising a child, but despite all the struggles she comes back to her son at night to express her unconditional love, even as she becomes weak and approaches her final days. 

What I loved about the book 

The book stood out to me in many ways and while it is considered a children’s book, I would argue it is more so a book that provides many lessons for parents or caregivers. It triggered an emotional connection for me as a mother as I identified with the hardships of the mother in the story, especially the moments when she wanted to sell her son to the zoo! However, at the same time it depicts how a mother’s love is resilient and while you test her in many ways, she somehow continues to love you through and through. 

Reading this story also allowed me to reflect upon my own relationship with my mother and the many ways I pushed her patience while growing up. The story moves you to appreciate loved ones in your life a little more and truly value the time you have with them as we go through the circle of life. 

Why it is good at storytelling 

This book is particularly good at story telling because it covers all the four I’s that are needed to create an engaging story as indicated by Ashley Fell in “Why storytelling is so powerful in the digital era”. The story captured my interest and maintained my attention throughout the book as we moved through each stage of the boy’s life.  It instructs us by providing me with meaningful reflections on my own relationships with my son and my mother. It involved me as I could identify with the character in the story and saw myself in the mother.  Finally, it inspired me by encouraging me to cherish time with loved ones and recognize that there will always be hardships throughout life but no matter what you do, you have people that will always be there. 

Many feel that Love You Forever is a divisive book. Some like me think it is a beautiful story of motherhood and the circle of life, while others hate it and incite ridicule that it is okay for an old woman to sneak into her adult son’s room and pick him up. Whatever the case, for a children’s book, it is an engaging story that brings out emotions and leaves you deep in thought. and would make the perfect gift for an expecting parent.