I love you all the time

PreS-K--A young child experiences the ups and downs of everyday life while hearing the soothing refrain "I love you all the time" from his caregivers. Riding his bike; crashing his bike; feeling sad, mad, and scared; making and cleaning up messes; sleeping and not sleeping; the message is the same: unconditional love. The warm watercolor and pencil illustrations add even more comfort to the sweet and lilting rhythm of the story. Young readers will also enjoy the mischievous cat that makes frequent appearances in the illustrations. An author's note explains the inspiration for the book and offers four specific ideas for helping children feel loved and lovable. Kris uses realistic examples of how to put this advice into practice in helpful and realistic ways. VERDICT Though not particularly original in concept, the book presents enough advice and reassurance to make it a worthwhile additional purchase.--Kristy Pasquariello

Loving affirmation in picture-book form. An extended poem expresses a caregiver's unfailing love for a child. After each of the rhyming quatrains is the titular refrain: "I love you all the time." The illustrations show Micah, a young, biracial boy, being cared for throughout the day by his White mother, Black father, and Black grandmother. He learns how to ride a bike, goes to school, makes messes and cleans them up, plays dress-up and soccer, learns how to write his name, and more. His emotions sometimes get the best of him, but the adults' support and patient understanding never waver. One scene depicting a tepee as a playtime prop while Micah plays with horses and wears a cowboy hat may give readers pause, but thankfully, there are no stereotypical depictions of Native American people in the text. Helpful backmatter highlights the author's use of the reassuring reminder--I love you all the time--in her own parenting and provides additional guidance to help make children "feel loved and loveable." There are many similar children's books available, but the depiction of a multigenerational, interracial family sets this one apart. A comforting book about the power of unconditional love that's instructive for caregivers and young readers alike. (Picture book. 2-5) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.