Love Matters Most - Hardcover

Kelly, Mij

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 031654311X ISBN 13: 9780316543118

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2016

Synopsis

Perfect for Valentine's Day and a heartwarming read for the cold winter months, this cozy animal story explores the universal theme of a mother's love for her child.

When a polar bear leaves the safety and warmth of her cave to travel all over a frozen wonderland, she must be looking for something very important. Could it be delicious silver salmon? A view of the swirling winter sky? A bit of gold? Of course, she is in search of the most precious thing of all: her lost little cub. In this touching story, readers will instantly be enamored with the sweeping illustrations of winter landscapes, endearing polar bear characters, and the resonant message that a mother's love matters most.

About this title

About the Author

Mij Kelly was born in Scotland but spent her early childhood in India. She studied English at York University, and Publishing Studies at Stirling University. She lives in York, England.

Gerry Turley is an illustrator and printmaker who studied Illustration at Glasgow School of Art and Natural History Illustration at the Royal College of Art. His picture books include A Bear's Year, and his work was selected for the Bologna International Children's Bookfair Illustrators Exhibition. He lives in the United Kingdom.

From School Library Journal

PreS—A polar bear ventures from her warm cave into the night, searching for something she has lost in the snow. Kelly poses questions about what sort of treasure would lure the creature out on a cold, stormy night, including gold, ruby red berries, and the northern lights (which are described as "the forest's true magic dancing in light"). At last, the polar bear discovers footprints in the snow, giving readers their first clue as to what she is looking for. Soon, she finds her cub, and the two are happily reunited, and the author concludes that out of all the treasures the polar bear could have been seeking, "love matters most." This sweet, sentimental story uses lyrical rhymes to convey the strength and importance of motherly love and engages young children by encouraging them to guess what is happening. Turley's illustrations, which were created by "combining drawing and mark-making on paper with screen printing, and then pieced together digitally," feature bold and dazzling wintry colors on expansive spreads. VERDICT The mix of poetic rhymes and large, sweeping illustrations makes this tender tale a solid choice for sharing during winter-themed storytimes.—Laura J. Giunta, Garden City Public Library, NY

About this edition

• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 031654311X
• ISBN 13: 9780316543118
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32