What Is Love?

by Mac Barnett, Carson Ellis (Illustrator)

A beautiful fable about the nature of love from beloved award-winning picture book creators Mac Barnett and Carson Ellis.

"What is love?" a young boy asks. "I can't answer that," his grandmother says, and so the boy goes out into the world to find out. But while each person he meets—from the fisherman to the actor to everyone in between—has an answer to his question, not one seems quite right.

Could love really be a fish, or applause, or the night? Or could it actually be something much closer to home? This tender, funny tale is an original take on the "I love you" story and a picture book treasure for all ages to read and cherish.

A CLASSIC LOVE A wonderful narrative voice and spectacular pictures give this book the feel of a modern classic.

A BOOK THAT KIDS AS WELL AS PARENTS WILL Many books about the love between parents and children are told from an adult's point of view. This book begins from the child's perspective, and it's funny and unexpected in ways that kids can relate to, while being thoughtful in ways that adults will appreciate. Like all great children's books, this book can be understood on many levels.

A BOOK ABOUT FINDING The little boy's journey takes him to many different people, whose descriptions of what love means to them is very much about how they see themselves and their lives.

A GREAT The engaging text is full of surprises and the distinctive voice of the narrator invites audiences to respond.

STAR Mac Barnett is a  New York Times  bestselling author and a beloved figure on the school speaking circuit. Carson Ellis is a Caldecott Honor winner and illustrator of some of the most interesting and beautiful children's books published today. They're an incredible creative duo and longtime friends, working together for the first time on this children’s book.

Perfect

Genres: Picture Books, Love, Childrens, Family, Fiction, Poetry, Philosophy

44 pages, Hardcover

First published December 28, 2021

About the author

Born to non-farmers in a California farming community, Mac Barnett now lives near San Francisco. He's on the board of directors of 826LA, a nonprofit writing center for students in Los Angeles, and he founded the Echo Park Time Travel Mart, a convenience store for time travelers.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, here I am with a children’s book.

What is Love?

How does one define it? How does one explain it to a child? Does it need explanation?

This is a beautiful picture book about perspective, and a reminder that our hearts all beat faster for such different things.

So, what is love to you?

Hey, even adults can learn from children’s books!

[Negar · Rating 5 out of 5]

آیا می‌دانید مک بارنت با این کتاب از دوست‌دخترش خواستگاری کرده؟

[Sabi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for kids and though I like the ending, I'm just wondering if kids would be able to understand it on their own.

[Théo d'Or]

When the moon hits your eye, like a big pizza pie, that's amore ?

Now, seriously, after thorough research, I came to the conclusion that love is a dangerous addiction that can make you forget your own needs, boundaries and personal space. Approach with caution.

-

[Moonkiszt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Featured in a grandma reads session.

Simple and plain, but all about love. I used this as a team read with our youngest reader, trading off phrases, and him reading every sentence with the word "love" in it. . . and so we got to hear a lot from him, and he had supported practice with the big kids he looks up to. Win / Win!

And who doesn't love a book by Mac Barnett? We are avid fans!

[Dylan Teut · Rating 3 out of 5]

I believe I'm in the minority on this one... But, there are few Mac Barnett books that I really enjoy. This was not one of them. It, like most, left me scratching my head. This took me 2 re-reads to finally harness some kind of understanding, but if it took me that long, I think it'd be way beyond what elementary students could understand. Maybe it's meant for older readers. Maybe it's just me.

[Kristina Coop-a-Loop · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is Love? is a very cute picture book written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Carson Ellis. I’ve been on a kids’ book binge the last few months. Probably because I’m a child at heart (a friend told me that) or because lately my attention span is limited to ten pages or so of beautiful artwork and maybe 50 words. Whatever the reason is, I liked this book. The boy asks his grandmother, What is love? She tells him she can’t answer that; he must go into the world and find his answer. So the boy (or young man) travels the world asking various people what they think love is and gets various answers. After his adventures, the young man/boy (age is unspecified) returns home and his grandmother asks him if he found his answer. Of course he did—it was in front of him all along.

The message of the book isn’t overly complex but I like how it demonstrates that everyone is different, everyone has something they love or represents love to them. The pictures have bright and vibrant colors and are eye-catching. Another great picture book for kids and adults!

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

sometimes you pick up a picture book because it has a beautiful cover and then you end up emotionally devastated. many such cases

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent portrayal of the multiple meanings of love

For some reason the Bible verse “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” (Matthew 6:21) came into my mind.

[Dest · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book perfectly illustrates what a metaphor is. Not only a great book about love, but a great book about the beauty and power of figurative language.

[Cecelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over the summer I went to the first-ever Picture Book Palooza!, a virtual event hosted by School Library Journal. In the past, I’ve read picture books either purely for enjoyment or in order to recommend (or gift!) them to the littles in my life. Recently, I’ve been thinking about how to use picture books in my classroom: viewing picture books as complex texts to illustrate the writing process to students, and the different ways you can construct stories. One of the picture books featured at the Picture Book Palooza! was What Is Love? by Mac Barnett, and illustrated by Carson Ellis. It would be the perfect book to teach metaphor to students young and old.

When a young person asks their grandmother, “What is love?” she says that she can’t answer that, and that the narrator must go out into the world to find the answer. Each person the narrator comes across tells them that love is a different thing: a fish, applause, the night, a house… and many more things, besides! In the end, the narrator, exhausted and frustrated, heads home. Standing barefoot in the garden, with a hug from their grandmother, they finally realize that they do know what love is.

Barnett’s story is a meditation on the meaning of love, told through a journey and metaphor. The text is clever and rhythmic, and there are bright sparks of humor in between longer poetic passages. It will be a read aloud hit for storytimes, bedtimes, and with grandparents and parents. I especially appreciated the extended use of figurative language, first person point of view, and the narrator’s frustration after being told over and over again, “You do not understand!” This book unites both abstract thought/higher level thinking and young learners’ inevitable frustration with the non-literal – and it encourages understanding without condescension.

Of course no discussion of a picture book is complete without talking about the art! Barnett’s text is accompanied by Carson Ellis’ lovely paintings of each of the things that the narrator is told love is. Ellis’ illustrations are gouache on watercolor paper – and the art feels a little bit like watercolor inside-out – some of the same layering of color, but brighter, more vibrant against the white background from the start, with a modern, rustic feel. The vibrant colors, sense of movement, and variety between page spreads should inspire readers just as much as the words on the page.

In all, What Is Love? is a lovely, deep thinking sort of picture book for adults, and a poetic, funny introduction to metaphor for younger readers – one that does not underestimate them!

Recommended for: readers ages 3-5 (and up!), those who enjoyed Tiny, Perfect Things and The Night Box, and anyone looking for pictures books that do well as read alouds and also as answers to life’s big questions.

[Celeste]

i read this standing in the bookstore which is not the most ethically sound of me i'm sure but ah it is too late ! i read this chiefly for the illustrations, which i adored (my favorites were probably the soldier and the actor) but it was also good in general! very sweet

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful lighthearted story about how love means different things to different people.

[Laurian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that this book spurred my children to discussing what love is for each of them.

[Hanna Sun · Rating 5 out of 5]

a feast for the eyes and the soul!

[kate j · Rating 4 out of 5]

mac barnett writes like eli

[Asra Syed]

How I’m planning on introducing people’s delight/love for their occupations and observing people in this state for strong descriptive writing

[Clara Biesel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a stunner, while still being understated. Books this philosophical sometimes are loved by adults and not so much the kids, but my 2 year old keeps asking for it again and again.

[Victoria Whipple · Rating 5 out of 5]

One can not explain what love is, one must experience it. The grandmother sends he grandson into the world to learn what love is is so poignant, because there is no more difficult but truly loving thing a grown up can do for the child they love but to encourage them to go out into the big world to discover things for themselves. Ellis’s brightly colored illustrations are full of life and beautifully compliment Barnett’s text.

[The Library Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

It reminds me of the song "Happiness" from "You're A Good Man Charlie Brown," and it has a self conscious--"See, I'm being deep and wise here." But the art is handsome and Mac Barnett fans who adore anything he does will lap it up.

[Takworm]

"You exist, you're seen" ..
"You don't understand" .

[KIRIAKI(Dominica Amat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Βαθμολογία 3.5/5

Πρώτη δημοσίευση εδώ: https://www.dominicamat.gr/2026/02/bl...

ΒΙΒΛΙΟΠΡΟΤΑΣΗ

Τίτλος: ΤΙ ΕΙΝΑΙ Η ΑΓΑΠΗ;

Συγγραφέας: Mac Barnett

Θυμάμαι να πιάνω τον εαυτό μου να εκπλήσσεται ευχάριστα κάθε φορά που ο ανιψιός μου -όταν ήταν σε μικρή ηλικία- να με ρωτά με μία αφοπλιστική ειλικρίνεια και αθωότητα για πολλά πράγματα που τα έχουμε ως δεδομένα και δεν αναρωτιόμαστε ποτέ για εκείνα. Για τα πιο απλά κι ασήμαντα έως τα πιο ουσιαστικά και σύνθετα όπως είναι έννοιες σαν την αγάπη, τη χαρά κι άλλα συναισθήματα που βιώνουμε καθ΄όλη τη διάρκεια της ζωής μας. Και κάπως έτσι έμπαινα στη διαδικασία να σκεφτώ πράγματα που ίσως να μην το είχα κάνει ποτέ και να αναζητήσω κι εγώ μαζί του τις όποιες ικανοποιητικές απαντήσεις. Και ξέρετε πού κατέληγα; Στο να νιώθω ότι γνωρίζω εξ αρχής τον κόσμο και τα πάντα γύρω μου για πρώτη φορά!

Ο συγγραφέας Mac Barnett έχοντας κατά νου αυτές τις κοινές, αλλά τόσο εύστοχες ερωτήσεις των μικρών παιδιών αποτυπώνει μέσα στο παραμύθι του μία ευνόητη και μεστή ιστορία που φέρει τον τίτλο ''ΤΙ ΕΙΝΑΙ Η ΑΓΑΠΗ;'' (What Is Love?), το οποίο κυκλοφορεί στη χώρα μας από τις εκδόσεις Παπαδόπουλος. Την εικονογράφησή του έχει επιμεληθεί η κυρία Carson Ellis και τη μετάφρασή του η κυρία Μαρία Κωνσταντοπούλου. Το βιβλίο απευθύνεται σε παιδιά ηλικίας 4 ετών κι άνω και θα μου επιτρέψετε να το θεωρώ ως μία πολύ γλυκειά υπενθύμιση και για εμάς τους/τις μεγαλύτερους/ες.

Περιγραφή:

Αγάπη είναι το φεγγάρι.

Όχι, αγάπη είναι ένα άτι.

Όχι! Αγάπη είναι ένα ψάρι!

Όχι…

Τι είναι η αγάπη;

Οι δύο σημαντικοί δημιουργοί ενώνουν τις αξιοσημείωτες δυνάμεις τους σε ένα εικονογραφημένο βιβλίο για μικρούς και μεγάλους, που μας καλεί να αναρωτηθούμε Τι είναι η αγάπη;.

Κάθε πλάσμα φαίνεται να βρίσκει την αγάπη σε διαφορετικά πράγματα και μέρη, κι έτσι οι απαντήσεις στο ερώτημά μας ολοένα και πληθαίνουν…

Η ιστορία είναι γραμμένη με έναν λόγο οικείο και τόσο κατανοητό, όπου το γεμάτο λεξιλόγιο σε συνδυασμό με την εξαιρετική εικονογράφηση του βιβλίου έχουν ως αποτέλεσμα όχι μόνο τα μικρά παιδιά να κρατήσουν αμείωτο το ενδιαφέρον τους, αλλά κυρίως να δουν να ''ζωντανεύει'' μπροστά τους η έννοια της αγάπης και όλες εκείνες οι μορφές που μπορεί εκείνη να λάβει βάσει του τί σημαίνει για τον καθέναν και την καθεμία, ξεχωριστά, αυτό το τόσο όμορφο και σπουδαίο συναίσθημα. Διότι, η αγάπη είναι παντού και πάντα γύρω μας, αρκεί να μπορούμε να την δεχθούμε.

Στα λοιπά θετικά στοιχεία του παραμυθιού συγκαταλέγονται:
- Οι σύντομες προτάσεις,
- Η ψυχαγωγική/διδακτική αύρα όλης της ιστορίας,
- Η εξαιρετική ποιότητα του χαρτιού και της γενικότερης εικόνας του βιβλίου,
- Καθώς και η μεγάλη ευανάγνωστη γραμματοσειρά.
Αναζητήστε το! Καλή ανάγνωση.

Κυκλοφορεί από τις εκδόσεις Παπαδόπουλος.

https://vivliovamon.blogspot.com/2026...

[Richie Partington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richie’s Picks: WHAT IS LOVE? by Mac Barnett and Carson Ellis, ill., Chronicle, October 2021, 44p., ISBN: 978-1-4521-7640-6

“If I fell in love with you
Would you promise to be true
And help me understand?
‘Cuz I’ve been in love before
And I’ve found that love is more
Than just holding hands.”
-- Lennon/McCartney (1964)

“The farmer told me love is a seed.
This soldier told me love is a blade.
That soldier told me love is a horse.
But the cart driver said, ‘No, it’s a donkey.’

A sports car, a donut, a lizard, a ring
The first snow of winter, a maple in summer.
A grizzly bear, this pebble right here--
these are all things people told me love is.”

As a child, I learned about love from watching how my grandfather opened the door to his ‘61 Bonneville for my grandmother. I learned about it from Lennon and McCartney, Christopher Plummer and Julie Andrews, and Wilbur the pig and Charlotte the spider.

I’m still learning.

The narrator of WHAT IS LOVE? asks his grandmother, “What is love?” His grandma picks him up in her arms, tells him that she cannot answer that, and sends him out into the world to search for the answer. After journeying and seeing how others view love as that to which they are connected and care about, the narrator returns home, picks his grandmother up in his arms, and let’s her know that he has found his answer.

Carson Ellis employs gouache on watercolor paper to create fanciful illustrations that feature the delightfully zany cast of humans, animals, and inanimate objects that assist the narrator in his quest for the answer.

Preschoolers will be captivated by the whimsical adventure, while older children will also appreciate the philosophical nature of the tale. It will readily lend itself to contemplation, discussion, and written reactions.

Mac Barnett hits the sweet spot between fun and thoughtful. I love it!

Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
https://twitter.com/richiespicks
richiepartington@gmail.com

[Pine Reads Review]

“A sports car, a donut, a lizard, a ring. The first snow of winter, a maple in summer. A grizzly bear, this pebble right here—these are all things people told me love is.”

What is love? That is the question at the center of this vibrant and heartwarming picture book. The story begins with a little boy asking his grandmother what love is. When she advises the boy to set off into the world to find out for himself, he does just that. What follows is a journey of discovery for the boy as he travels far and wide, asking many interesting people (and a few animals) the same old question, “what is love?” In the end, however, the boy discovers that the answer to his question may have been inside him all along.

What Is Love? contains a perfect mix of humor, silliness, and heart. Reading this story felt simultaneously like going on a thrilling adventure and returning to the safety of home. By showcasing the varied answers that can be given to the same seemingly simple question, Mac Barnett offers the reader a lesson on the power of perspective. When the fisherman says love is a fish and the farmer says it’s a seed, they are both right, because what a person loves is unique to them.

Ellis’ illustrations are nothing short of mesmerizing. From lush plants to starry skies and open ocean, the nature scenes depicted in the book help set the tone for each new setting along the boy’s journey. Ellis also uses delightful little details, such as a dog’s tongue-out grin and a carpenter’s bandaged thumbs, to create a quirky cast of characters. I appreciated the diversity represented in the characters in terms of race, sex, age, and more.

Perhaps the biggest takeaway from this special book is that love means something different to each and every one of us. So, tell me, what is love?

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @pinereadsreview and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What does the word “love” mean to you? If I asked my kids they would have a completely different answer to that question then I would. I imagine they would say a big hug, their favorite meal being made for them, their favorite present under the tree on Christmas morning, or maybe memories of a favorite vacation.

A young boy asks his grandma what love is? Rather than answer him, she suggests he goes out into the world to find out. He comes across a fisherman and asks him. He answers, “Love is a fish.”, of course. The boy is baffled because he thinks fish are slimy and gross. How can that be love? The fisherman responds, “You do not understand”.

As the boy travels, he meets an actor, a cat, a dog, a carpenter, a farmer, and more. They all give him different answers to his question, What is love?”. One day, as the boy, now a man, returns home, he stands in the garden and finally realizes he knows the answer to the question.

The painted illustrations are quite lovely and the writing is lyrical. There is some repetition that would allow your child to quickly join you in the reading. After reading this with your child, you can ask them, what is love? A great conversation can be had learning what love means to you and to your child. This emotional story is timeless and can be kept in your library for generations.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a poetic and lyrical story in which a child tries to define love by asking many different people and animals for their own definition of the word--getting just as many replies and gradually realizing that "love" means a lot of different things to each of us.

Veg*n parents note: The first character the boy asks is a fisherman, who is shown embracing a large fish out of water and saying, "Love is a fish." He then sings the praises of catching a special fish and tossing her back to the sea. The boy replies that he doesn't like fishes, stating that "they taste bad" as one of his reasons. This could bring up some good conversations about what loving animals really means and whether injuring and frightening them is really an example of love, as even catch-and-release fishing causes suffering and sometimes death. In other words:
What is love?
Baby, don't hurt me
Don't hurt me
No more

[Bord uit, boek aan · Rating 5 out of 5]

De jongen in het boek vraagt zich af wat liefde is, hij denkt het antwoord te kunnen vinden bij zijn oma. Echter, stuurt zij hem de wijde wereld in om het antwoord te vinden. Overal waar hij komt vraag hij de mensen wat liefde is. De antwoorden die hij krijgt zijn zo divers dat hij er geen touw aan vast kan knopen. Voor de visser is liefde een vis, voor de kat is het de nacht, voor de ene soldaat is het een zwaard en voor de ander een paard. Hij komt zoveel tegen dat hij uiteindelijk terug gaat naar huis, daar waar hij vindt waar hij al die tijd naar op zoek was.

Een prentenboek waar je even stil van valt, zo mooi. Prachtig om voor te lezen en samen te bespreken wat maakt dat de antwoorden zo divers zijn. De tekst voelt poëtisch aan en neemt je met de prachtige illustraties mee op de zoektocht naar liefde.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

We're never too young to start learning about love.
Learning ON PURPOSE, I mean.

Prolific writer of picture books, Mac Barnett dares to tackle this topic... and zestfully embrace it. Much wisdom is packed between these covers. A favorite of mine is a response from "the poet."

When asked, "What is love?" he smiles:

Sit down and I'll tell you," he said.
A list so long it goes on for pages."

And there sits that ancient-looking bard, with his flowing silver beard and his surprisingly stylish shoes, writing outdoors during a glorious sunset. From his pen words are flowing and flowing without end.

As for writer Mac Barnett, he gives his love story a lovely beginning, middle, and end. (Though no spoiler from me, no no.)

FIVE STAR thanks to you, author Mac. And also FIVE STAR thanks to you, illustrator Carson Ellis.

[Christie Kaaland · Rating 5 out of 5]

From it's beautiful inside-cover art to to scenic settings ~ grandmother's garden, the pastel illustrations highlight the sentiment of affection that each character feels toward their object or person defining "What is love?"

A young narrator sets out into the world to determine What is love? To a fisherman, it is a fish, to the actor it is applause, and to the cat it is the night. Each person the narrator asks ends their definition with "You do not understand." When in fact, you, dear reader, do understand: this child is truly seeking universal definition of love for everyone and their definition is shown when they return home to a grandmother who loves them in the comfort of her garden.

[The Silvan Reverie | Sarah Street · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, whoever paired Mac Barnett with Carson Ellis is absolute GENIUS! I love this book. It's so perfectly charming and an age-appropriate exploration of love. The narrative explores the question "what is love?" in a whimsical-yet-touching manner. Children's imagination will be invoked but never at the cost of truly touching something deep. I love the landscapes and cast of characters. The narrative flows beautifully -- it makes for a great read aloud that parents will be happy to revisit.

***Note: I was given a review copy of this book via Chronicle Books. Opinions are my own.