"I love you right up to the moon...and back," whispers Big Nutbrown Hare.
That line still moves me to this day (as I'm sure it does a lot of people). With kids, you get one chance to make an impression. They are clever that way. In the world of adult fiction, the plot line can take chapters to develop and most adult readers tolerate it. With picture books, however, this is just not so. You have maybe 30 pages to make an impact through words and illustrations. If a child doesn't like a book, it will be left unread. On the other hand, if a book succeeds in enchanting a child, it will be loved forever. Guess How Much I Love You is exemplary of how the most basic ideas can be the most magical and stay with you always.
My mom used to read this book to me when I was little! I haven't thought about Little and Big in so many years. You're right that that line sticks--I used to tell my family that I loved them to the moon and back because of Guess How Much I Love You.
ReplyDeleteMy mom bought my sister this book when she was 6. I specifically recall stealing it from her... It's crazy how the years go by, yet once you pick your favorite children's books back up again, it is as if no time has passed. Good to hear from you, Matt!
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