Love

Everyone has their own definition of love.  To some love is hugs and kisses.  To others love might be sharing dinner and stories with family.  Love is different to everyone.  Everyone feels love differently and shows love differently.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres

The most famous definition of love comes from no other than the Bible.  Wendy Andreson Halperin takes the familiar verse about love from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and adds illustrations.  In her book Love Is... Halperin finds a way to make the Bible verse heard at weddings everywhere even more beautiful.  You can spend hours pouring over her illustrations to find endless examples of love.  The book is illustrated on 2 page spreads.  The page on the left shows unloving situations like a house with a garbage can toppled over or two girls not sharing their toys.  Then on the left you see pictures that express love like two girls sharing their dolls and a mother bird feeding a worm to her baby birds.   There are so many examples of love in the pictures children are sure to get even more out of the book than if they were just hearing the words.

During this week leading up to Valentine's Day take the time to talk about love with your child and where they see love or what they love.

Here are a few images of love from my family!

Love is somebody to hold you tight.

Love is doing what makes you happy. 

Love is sharing your smile with others. 

What is love to you and your family?

Happy Reading!

Laura

February and Hugs!

There is so much going on in February and so many books I want to share with you that I will be posting on Mondays and Wednesdays this month.  I want to give you some great Valentine's and love book recommendations and I also want to share with you some great books for Black History Month.

I am going to start out with a very simple book.  It's not your traditional Valentine's book or love book but it is a great book to share with those you love. 

Hug by Jez Alborough is a simple board book with one word... HUG!  Little monkey Bobo sees all the other animals giving each other a hug.  He is sad and wants his own hug.  He goes in search of a hug, not having any luck until he finds his mama!  His mama gives him a giant hug and Bobo is happy again.  The book ends with all the animals hugging one another. You can't help but want to hug anyone near you after reading this book, but especially those that you love! It's great to read with little ones because they will quickly catch on and start "reading" the one word text with you.  For bigger kids they will enjoy examining the pictures, that tell a little more of the story.  No matter what everyone can relate to Bobo and his need for a hug!

Start out this month by cuddling, reading with and hugging those you love!

Happy Reading!

Laura