Love You Forever

Munsh, R. (1987).  Love you forever.  Toronto:  Firefly.

I received this book at a baby shower for Brody.  I honestly had never heard of the book.  But now I can't read this book without tears coming to my eyes.  The book tells the story of the relationship between a mother and son beginning with his life and ending with hers.  I love some of the descriptions of the boy as he grows:  "He had strange friends and he wore strange clothes and he listened to strange music."  Something I can definitely relate to with teaching high school.


But no matter how much the boy grows and changes, his mother's love for him stays the same.  Each night she creeps into his room and sings to him.  The ending of the book is simply heartbreaking.  The first time I read the book aloud to Brody, I had to stop.  I just couldn't finish it.  No wonder this book has appeared on so many top reading lists.

The book is wonderful for very young readers because of its simple syntax and repetition.  So many of the words are repeated throughout with very simple language.  The artwork is very detailed.  Shelia McGraw use of color perfectly mirrors the tone.

Every new mother should attempt to read this book.  In fact every new mother should just own this book, because she'll have to attempt to read it several times before she can finish it, especially a mother of a boy.

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.