reassurance

All children want reassurance that their parents' love runs wide and deep. In Guess How Much I Love You, a young rabbit named Little Nutbrown Hare thinks he's found a way to measure the boundaries of love. In a heartwarming twist on the 'I-can-do-anything-you-can-do-better' theme, Little Nutbrown Hare goes through a series of declarations regarding the breadth of his love for Big Nutbrown Hare. But even when his feelings stretch as long as his arms, or as high as his hops, Little Nutbrown Hare is fondly one-upped by the elder rabbit's more expansive love. Anita Jeram's illustrations are bound to elicit an 'aw' from even the sternest of readers; these loving rabbits are expressive, endearing, and never cloying. In turn, Sam McBratney tells a simple bedtime story of sweet familial love with humor, insight, and a delightful surprise at the end. Children and parents will love snuggling up for this one--a treat to be read again and again, just before the lights are turned out. (Click to see a sample spread. Text © 1994 by Sam McBratney. Illustrations © 1994 by Anita Jeram. Permission from Candlewick Press.) (Ages 4 to 8) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Money

The creators of The Money Tree paint a blithe yet affectionate portrait of a woman whose life centers on reading. Elizabeth Brown's obsession begins in childhood: 'She didn't like to play with dolls,/ She didn't like to skate./ She learned to read quite early/ And at an incredible rate.' Stewart's nimble verse follows the bibliophile through the years as she fills her home with books. Finally, 'when volumes climbed the parlor walls/ And blocked the big front door,/ She had to face the awful fact/ She could not have one more.' Elizabeth then decides to share her wealth: she donates her collection to the town, turns her home into a library and-of course-continues to read voraciously. Attuned to the story's humor and period setting, Small's (George Washington's Cows) airy illustrations charm with historical touches and soothing pastel hues. Triple-ruled black borders and filigreed corners suggest a family album of old, while black-and-white spot art highlights details of a singular life. The book's dedication adds a poignant note: 'To the memory of the real Mary Elizabeth Brown, Librarian, Reader, Friend 1920-1992.' All ages. Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the   edition.

Information

Drawing on elements of Chinese dragon lore, Pattison injects this bang-up original folktale with a ring of authenticity. Her story is presented in the traditional 'trial' form: Ying Shao, a humble blacksmith, must cross the river dragon's bridge on three consecutive nights in order to see his betrothed. Ying Shao's sly father-in-law- to-be, not at all thrilled with the upcoming nuptials, feeds the youth swallows in every way, shape and form (everyone knows dragons adore swallows) in hopes the dragon will devour him on the way home. Aided by helpful hints tucked in fortune cookies, however, Ying Shao manages to outwit the beast each time, and in a final, mighty confrontation, destroys him. Pattison writes with confidence and grace, her smashing debut buoyed by the Tsengs' ( The Seven Chinese Brothers ) luminous watercolors, which feature amusingly expressive characters and a truly monstrous dragon. Ages 5-up. Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.