Guess How Much I Love You
by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram (Candlewick Press)Among the boxes in the garage (and there are still quite a few), I found a box full of my wedding stuff. The sign in book, the serving set, various cards of congratulations, and dozens upon dozens of photos. Packed in the box was also a copy of the board book Guess How Much I Love You along with a little stuffed bunny. Mouse was intent on helping me as I went through the box and in an effort to distract her from running off and eating any of the photos, I handed her the children's book. I wasn't sure how it ended up in the box--but that wasn't important. It's another book for her collection.
When my husband came home that night, he picked the book up off the floor where Mouse had dropped it. As he thumbed through it, he asked if I'd noticed there was a long note written on the last page of the book. I hadn't. Evidently the book had been a wedding gift from a college friend and former roommate of mine. She had watched our own "fairy tale" romance unfold and wanted to share one of her favorites with us as well.
I love this little book--not just because of the sentimental value either. It's a sweet story about a Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare. Little Nutbrown Hare is trying to show Big Nutbrown Hare just how much he loves him. "'I love you right up to the moon,' he said . . . " What could be better than that? It's the type of game I can see myself playing with Mouse. Even as I think of this book and my daughter, I can't help but think of my husband too. This book is a symbol of our relationship too after all.
P.S. Although Mouse has only supervised visits with the book, I did let her keep the stuffed rabbit.
Source: This book was a wedding gift from a friend.
© 2012, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved.If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
What a sweet and thoughtful wedding gift! I'm sure Mouse will grow to love it.
ReplyDeleteI hope she will! It's such a cute little book. :-)
DeleteThis does seem like a perfect wedding gift, and who knew that one day, it would become the perfect book for Mouse too! Great post today. I am sure that Mouse is going to love getting the chance to visit the book all on her own!
ReplyDeleteIt will have an extra special meaning for her too. :-)
DeleteSomehow I missed growing up with this book! It was always Good Night Moon in our house. All my kids loved it, and they each had a favourite thing about it. Though my kids have asked me how much I love them, and i end up saying things like 'more than stars in the sky' or 'beyond the moon'......like this book. It is a lovely gift to give to you, and even lovelier Mouse is here now to read it!
ReplyDeleteWe have Good Night Moon in our house too. :-)
DeleteThisi s one of my favorite books and I did give a copy to my husband years ago for a special occasion. I love the sentiment only the illustrations aren't bright enough to hold Gage's interest these days. The book and little bunny have been go-to baby shower gifts for years.
ReplyDeleteStacy - Yes, the illustrations aren't very bright, are they? I think that's why I like them. I can see why a young child wouldn't be as attracted to them though. I hadn't thought about making this book and the little rabbit a shower gift--what a great idea!
DeleteThis was one of my son's favorite books when he was young and mine too! I still have our copy in a box full of special books from his childhood. Glad to hear that you and Mouse are enjoying it as much and how lovely that your friend thought of you and now you are reading it with your child!
ReplyDeleteKathleen - I love that you have a box full of books from his childhood! I hope to have one for Mouse too. Of course, she has to stop eating all her books first.
DeleteWho doesn't love this one???? It's a classic!
ReplyDeleteIt's a great book. :-)
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