I Love You to the Moon and Back: All Year Long

“Enchanting… the perfect bedtime story”

— Whispering Stories I Love You to the Moon and Back: All Year Long by Amelia Hepworth, illustrated by Tim Warnes(Little Tiger Press, 2024)Good to Read for:calming down before bedtimesnuggly storytimesexpressing unconditional love to your child There’s a time and a place for picture books with dark humour and mild peril.

There’s many a time when laugh-out-loud stories are appreciated and even – sometimes – picture books about death are required.

But when it comes to settling the kids down for the night and whispering I love you, it’s gentle (preferably rhyming) picture books that parents reach for. Something like the beloved I Love You to the Moon and Back written by Amelia Hepworth (illustrated by me).

   

I Love You to the Moon and Back continues to sell well and has woven its way into many families’ affections. (As I write, it’s currently #7 ON Publishers Weekly Children’s Picture Book list, on which it’s been for the past 194 weeks). So, no wonder my publisher responded by commissioning the 2021 spin-off, I Love You Forever and a Day, and the recently published I Love You to the Moon and Back: All Year Long.

I don’t deny that this latest offering is ‘yet another sweet I-love-you book’. But as Kirkus Reviews kindly acknowledged, All Year Long stands out as being ‘a cut above many of the rest with its adorable artwork and text that combines rhymes and rhythms with a message that will largely be understandable to even the smallest tots’.

   

And it’s the smallest tots (yes, that includes babies!) that this soft, cuddly pair is aimed at. It’s clear from their facial expressions (as Kirkus noted) that Big Bear and Little Bear love one another, a repeated message in the rhyming text. They engage in experiences and activities familiar to this age group. The combined effect is that young children see themselves (and their carers) reflected in the book, which reassures and helps give them a sense of self.

Karen (@theunyoungmum) (who likens the ‘I love you’ bear books to ‘a warm hug at bedtime’) explains how the books remind her of special moments shared with her son:

 

Both [Moon and Back and Forever and a Day] capture those moments you can relate to in your own relationships. Those perfect days. The nosey rubs that make us giggle. If you’re looking for genuine warmth and joy in a beautifully illustrated read, look no further.

- @theunyoungmum

 

So what special moments can you expect from Moon and Back: All Year Long?

As the title suggests, the illustrations show the bears throughout the year, sharing everyday moments that make up our lives.

There’s plenty of cuddles (of course).

Simple interactions exploring and noticing nature - for example, this close encounter with a frog.

   

The bears walk quietly, hand in hand.

Sometimes, they run and play:

 

I love to chase and play with you on hot midsummer days,

And swim in sparkling waters underneath the sun’s bright rays.

 

And there are expressions of gratitude for family and friends.

 

But most of all I’m grateful that I have you here with me.

   

By the end of the book, we have passed through the seasons – from the melting winter snow and the new growth of spring into hot summer days, which fade into autumn until finally, the tumbling autumn leaves are replaced by the first ‘softly swirling’ snowflakes. 

   

Little Bear drifts to sleep while riding home on Big Bear’s back ‘beneath a sky of inky blue’. The story has come full circle – it is winter again, and the bears are back in their cave, snuggled up in a cosy, comforting embrace.

 

The rhyme and rhythm flow smoothly, and make this a quick read, which is important when little ones are cranky and in need of sleep but need “one more story”!

- Ms. Yingling, Amazon

 

As I wrote at the start, there’s no denying I Love You to the Moon and Back: All Year Long is one in a long line of sweet ‘I-love-you’ books. But none of us ever tire of being told we are loved or made to feel wanted, and children will always welcome this reassurance (even if physical affection isn’t one of their love languages). So next time you get the opportunity, reach for an ‘I-love-you’ book (see below for some recommendations) and relish the moment.

Because they’ll be all grown-up before you know it.

  Tips for sharing the I Love You Bear Books

The ‘I Love You’ bear books work exceptionally well as quiet, wind-down stories. Follow the advice of Booktrust and incorporate it into a bath, book, and bed routine to settle your little one down for the night.

Because of the small amount of text, these books are perfect when your child wants one last bedtime story. But when time allows, discuss the seasons, the wildlife and, of course - the bears’ feelings for each other.

The bears aren’t assigned gender – meaning the big bear can be viewed as any parent or carer. Your child will identify with the little bear. Ask your child who the big bear reminds them of.

STORIES WORTH SHARINGI Love You to the Moon and Back: All Year Long by Amelia Hepworth, illustrated by Tim Warnes(Little Tiger Press, 2024)Good to Read for:calming down before bedtimesnuggly storytimesexpressing unconditional love to your child Copyright © 2023 Amelia Hepworth (Text) & Tim Warnes (Illustrations)From I LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK: ALL YEAR LONG by Amelia Hepworth & Tim Warnes(Little Tiger Press)Customer image © @j.duncandolcy GOOD TO READBest picture books to say ‘I love you’

Hug by Jez Alborough

So Much by Trish Cooke & Helen Oxenbury

I Love You Forever and a Day by Amelia Hepworth & Tim Warnes

I Love You to the Moon and Back by Amelia Hepworth & Tim Warnes

I Love You to the Moon and Back: All Year Long by Amelia Hepworth & Tim Warnes

Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney & Anita Jeram

You’re All My Favourites by Sam McBratney & Anita Jeram

Once Upon a Northern Night by Jean E. Pendziwol & Isabelle Arsenault

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Big As the World“My daughters adore this book and love it even more when Dadda reads it to them.”– Mama Filz

Moon and Back“If you’re looking for genuine warmth and joy in a beautifully illustrated read, look no further.”– @theunyoungmum

Forever and a Day“hugely appealing to young children”– Red Reading Hub

All Year Long“Enchanting… the perfect bedtime story”– Whispering Stories   BUY U.K. BUY U.S.A * I EARN COMMISSION FROM THESE LINKS #AD/AFF RELATED ARTICLES

SOURCES

Here to the Moon and Back, Dolly Parton © Velvet Apple MusicI Love You to the Moon and Back All Year Long by Amelia Hepworth, illustrated by Tim Warnes (Little Tiger Press, 2024)Kirkus Reviews, I Love You to the Moon and Back All Year Long Are you stuck for quality stories that you and your kids will enjoy? Sign up for my free story recommendations and tips. sign up

© 2024 BY TIM WARNES

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