I Love You Just Enough

Gr 1–3—When her bus drops her off to begin her summer vacation, Heather is overjoyed with the promise of new adventures. While helping her dad weed the garden, she discovers a baby duckling. She begs to adopt the little fluff ball, but her father warns her about the responsibilities of raising a wild animal, particularly the difficulty of letting the duck return to its natural habitat when the time comes. The title reflects his caution that Heather can love the bird but not too much. In a gentle, compassionate voice, the text details the work and joys of protecting and caring for a wild animal. The soft oil illustrations depict idyllic farm life and bucolic splendor, with changing artistic perspectives often focusing on small details made large. This book would be useful as a departure point for discussions about the animal life cycle, relationships among species, taking responsibility, and letting go.—Mary Hazelton, formerly at Warren & Waldoboro Elementary Schools, ME