Mary Engelbreit’s Little Book of Love

PreS-Gr 3–A simple Valentine’s Day book with quotations and illustrations for children and adults. All of the quotes are about the meaning of love, and the coffee table style encourages readers to focus on the non-commercial aspects of the holiday, including appreciating friends, family, and sweethearts. The illustrations pair appropriately with the quotes, showcasing Engelbreit’s interpretation of famous words through her art. The spreads are peopled by a multi-ethnic cast, often in embrace or smiling. Some of the sentimental sayings on love are attributed to important figures, such as Henry Thoreau, Maya Angelou, Mother Teresa, and Leo Tolstoy. The images are what one would expect from the artist: rounded, red-cheeked people and animals reminiscent of another time, cornflower blues and pale pinks with checkered, busy borders. This book would be better suited as a gift book for a child or sweetheart.