Author: Susan Verde
I Am Love is a children’s picture book (ages 4-8) written by Susan Verde and illustrated by the marvelous Peter Reynolds. It is just one of the books in the I Am series, the others focusing on such things as empathy and resiliency and taking action.
Peter Reynolds is known for The Dot and Going Places, among others, and this book has that same artistic look of his. The illustrations are very simple and focused, and often the background of the page is blank white to emphasize them even further. Reynolds’ use of color can be very helpful for young kids too – bright colors to reflect happy moods and good things, dull and dreary colors to show sadness or struggles. Kids can see very clearly that if someone is in a grey thunderstorm, you can show them love and compassion and they are brought back into the yellow sunshine.
As kiddos make valentines this February and eat “be mine” candy hearts, I Am Love teaches them that love is not just romantic love. It is also how you interact with others – and yourself – in everyday life. Love is being present and listening to a friend talk. Love is understanding that everybody makes mistakes. Love is the tiny gestures extended to others, the smiles or hugs or kind words. As the book says, being a loving, compassionate human is leading with your heart – for all the months of the year.
Visit us in Sunset Plaza or call 580-297-5089 to get your copy of I Am Love today!
