Module 1 Introduction to Children’s Literature

Guess How Much I Love You 

by Sam McBratney and illustrated by Anita Jeram

Summary

Guess How Much I Love You is about the measurement of love between a parent and child.  The child “Little Nutbrown Hare” wants to express his love for “Big Nutbrown Hare” and Big NutBrown Hare counters each declaration of love with an even greater amount of love in a similar fashion.  

Bibliographic Citation

McBratney, S. (1994). Guess How Much I Love You. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick.

My Impressions of the Book

The book easily expresses the feelings between a child and a parent.  The father’s love is always greater than the child’s love for his father.  It is not that the son or daughter is incapable of such love, but the love a parent holds for his or her children is never ending.  The book says what we all feel as parents, that no matter how much our children love us or how much time has past, our love for our children will always grow and it is limitless.  It is a lovely reading selection for storytime between a parent and a child.  The story conveys the importance of the family relationship and expresses love so much more powerfully than using the simple words “I love you”.

Review

In this simple story, a father and son try to outdo one another in expressing their affection. Little Nutbrown Hare says that he loves his father as high as he can reach. Big Nutbrown Hare replies that he loves his son as high as he can reach--which is very high. Father seems to be winning--until the young rabbit tells dad that he loves him right up to the moon--which his father agrees is very far away. But as he kisses his son goodnight, he replies, `Ì love you right up to the moon--and back.'' The watercolor illustrations are composed of scratchy lines and large areas of watery washes that are charming, but not too sweet. Large typeface and repetitive refrains invite beginning readers. It's refreshing and realistic to see a father and son relationship that is both competitive and loving.--Karen K. Radtke, Milwaukee Public Library

Radtke, K. K. (1995). Guess how much I love you [Review of the book Guess How Much I Love You, by S. McBratney].  School Library Journal, 41, 86.

Ideas for Library Use

Guess How Much I Love You would be an excellent addition to a family themed storytime in a school library or a perfect choice for a Valentine’s Day read along.