Love you always

In this autumnal ode to unconditional love, two hedgehogs make their way home. As Little Hedgie notices the seasonal changes, he begins to worry that his bond with his mother will alter as well: "Mommy... would you love me MORE... If I changed?" he muses. Sitckley's gentle rhymes follow the pair's ramble, using repetition to build a sense of security and warmth. As Little Hedgie ponders whether his mother would love him more if he had other animals' qualities (squirrels' agility, dragonflies' flutters, rabbits' softness), his mother repeatedly assures him that "I couldn't love you more." Blanco's spreads evoke early fall--the lush nature scenes are accented with bold greens, yellows, and reds--and the creatures are imbued with gentle expressions, creating a comforting tale in the tradition of Guess How Much I Love You. Ages 3--7. (Oct.)

Many books have similar titles and highlight the parent-child bond, but this gently flowing rhyme by Stickley elicits new warm, snuggly feelings.Lush, boldly colored illustrations capture Mommy hedgehog and her son, Hedgie, as they amble through the fall woods. When Hedgie notes the turn of seasons, she explains: " Everything is changing,' Mommy said. It's nature's way. / But change makes nature lovelier with every passing day.' " Hedgie's questions continue. "Mommy / would you love me MOREif I change?" Hedgie repeats his question as they encounter other mother-child pairs (squirrels, dragonflies, frogs, and rabbits), and, each time, Mommy explains that she could not love him more. At the end of the walk, Mommy and Hedgie return to their burrow and Hedgie asks the million-dollar question. "But, Mommywill love always last forever, / even if I change just like the seasons or the weather?" She reassures him: "ALWAYS." The final couplet ties the bow on it: " Always,' whispered Hedgie / as he curled up in his bed. / Imagine that,' he murmured. Just imagine,' Mommy said." All characters are simply and realistically drawn animals but with anthropomorphic facial expressions and body language. The cartoon landscape they dwell in is a benign one, round-lobed oak leaves, flowing water, and other organic shapes exuding comfort.Loving thoughts, especially appropriate for bedtime. (Picture book. 3-5) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.