Instead of simply repeating "I love you", have you tried different ways to express your love for your little one? How about associating love with something they can see, smell, hear, touch or feel in the natural world, like what award-winning author Laura Smetana does in her most recent picture book My Love For You Is Like a Garden? Get inspired by this sweet read and enter to win a signed copy inside a tote bag filled with art and gardening supplies!
My Review:
My Love For You Is Like a Garden is a beautiful and delightful book that innovatively turns plants, flowers and animals in a garden into vivid symbols of love. Each page features a short sentence comparing love to a tangible garden element, accompanied by a bright-colored cut-paper watercolor collage that corresponds to the metaphor. The language is simple but well thought-out to engage the reader's senses as well as imagination. For example, the book describes love "as warm as the radiant sun" and "as cheerful as the robin's song." Enhanced by its blend of vibrant colors and multi-step collaging process, the artwork is exceptionally lively and uplifting.
Besides making a rather abstract concept like LOVE more concrete and easier to understand, the book also teaches about various species of plants, flowers and animals that can be found in a garden. An illustrated glossary is included toward the end inviting young readers to search and find the highlighted items in the main body of the book. My son's favorite part of this activity is to look for the adorable ladybug that gets hidden on almost all pages. We double- and triple checked together to make sure not a single one had been overlooked.
Visually pleasing with heartwarming messages, the book not only encourages the readers to feel and express love, but may also spark their interest in gardening and exploring nature. It makes an expressive gift for a loved one on any occasion!
About the Book:
All Ages | 38 Pages
Publisher: Flying Cardinal Press | ISBN-13: 9781737140962
With bright, watercolor collages, My Love for You Is Like a Garden celebrates unconditional love with vibrant garden scenes that will delight fans of Lois Ehlert and Eric Carle. Perfect for baby showers, bedtime read-alouds, or anyone you love!
Say “I love you” with this charming picture book families will love reading together over and over again. Bold, colorful illustrations of flowers, butterflies, and animals will inspire readers of all ages to explore the natural world—and maybe even plant their own garden. Children will delight in finding ladybugs hidden throughout, and a glossary provides the names of each plant and animal featured. A beautiful book to share with a child, parent, or anyone who means the world to you!
My Love for You is Like a Garden Activity Kit – Free Download
Purchase Links: Amazon | Bookshop | Barnes and Noble | Author’s Website
A Friends and Family Offer
If you’ve already purchased a copy of My Love for You Is Like a Garden, head on over to Laura Smetana’s website to receive two free downloadable 8×10 watercolor collage art prints:
- Print 1 – My love for you is like a garden
- Print 2 – My love for you flows freely
About the Author-Illustrator:
Laura Smetana is the author and illustrator of My Love for You Is Like a Garden, a joyful picture book that celebrates unconditional love with bold, watercolor collages of garden scenes. She is also the author of Ice Cream with Grandpa: A Loving Story for Kids About Alzheimer’s & Dementia (illustrated by Elisabete B. P. de Moraes), which was winner of a Northern Lights Book Award, and Little Squiggle’s Lake Adventure, which she co-authored with her son, Stirling Hebda.
When she isn’t writing or painting, Laura can be found talking to kids at school author visits, gardening in her sunhat, and spending time with her family outdoors. Laura lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband and son. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and the Downers Grove Artists’ Guild.
Visit her online at laurasmetana.com and @SmetanaLaura on Twitter.
One lucky grand prize winner will receive a gorgeous garden-themed prize pack!
It includes:
Two additional winners will each receive a signed paperback copy of My Love for You Is Like a Garden!
Giveaway ends 3/27. Open to US only. Please enter below. Good luck!
My Love for You Is Like a Garden Book GiveawayDisclosure: I received a free copy of the book to facilitate my honest review. All views and opinions expressed are my own. The giveaway is organized by The Children's Book Review in partnership with Flying Cardinal Press. icefairy's Treasure Chest is not responsible for winner selection or prize fulfillment.
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