Overview
Following her hugely successful New York Times bestseller, Yay, You!, Sandra Boynton is back with another all-age picture book that's perfect for Valentine's Day, weddings, or any time anyone wants to say, "I love you." Written with Boynton's incomparable humor and illustrated with her signature characters, Consider Love will be cherished by everyone.Synopsis
Consider Love
From the sentimental to the soulful, this little book explores, in absolutely no depth whatsoever (yet with a number of lively and surely profound illustrations), the many and curious modes of love. Also it rhymes.
Pocket-sized, assuming that your loved one's pockets are pretty darn big, this lovely volume is a swell gifty object (hey, have you ever tried to write book cover copy?) as varied and delightful as a fine box of chocolates, yet with the decided advantage that there aren't any nougats or those icky little pineapple jelly things.
Publishers Weekly
Arriving just in time for Valentine's Day gift giving, this bouncy volume should please the palates of those searching for a sweet confection for a special someone. An appealing menagerie of Boynton's inimitable animal characters court and cavort through these buoyant pages, demonstrating how love "comes in every shape, and style." Acting out emotions suggested by the minimal rhyming text, these critters demonstrate such phenomena as "hopeful love" (a rabbit's ears form the shape of a heart), "love extravagant" (an elephant presents his amour with an entire apple tree, roots and all), "love perhaps foolish" (a hippo dives head-first into a layer cake) and "love overzealous" (a beaver chomps heart-shaped designs on tree trunks). In a final spread, the animals gather together as the narrative winds to an unabashedly sentimental, sing-song close: "Now consider one love in the midst of the crowd an affectionate love, neither timid nor loud.... A love that is steady, devoted, and true Consider my love for incredible you." Aw, shucks. What's not to love or at least like? All ages. (Jan.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
Editorials
From Barnes & Noble
The Barnes & Noble ReviewCelebrate love in all its glorious shapes and sizes with bestselling author Sandra Boynton. This cheerful romp through one of life's greatest gifts explores the many faces of the oft-discussed sentiment. Boynton shows us "love perhaps foolish" (a hippo dives head-first into a layer cake) and "love despairing" (a lowly rabbit waiting by the phone). There's "love problematic" (two porcupines staring tenderly at each other) and "love mysterious" (a cloaked elephant presents a heart to another).
Spare but spirited rhyming text ("A love that appreciates fire, and grace./ A love that adores / one remarkable face./ A love that is steady, devoted, and true -- / Consider my love for incredible you") lets the humor and beauty of the illustrations shine through. Boynton's signature use of fluid lines and unforgettable facial expressions allows readers to relate to every adorable animal. Their passion, frustration, bravery, eloquence, and hope are all ours to enjoy and embrace. Finally, we see all of Boynton's creatures together as the book comes to an end, and we are shown the true meaning of love.
A superlative gift for your special someone. (Amy Barkat)