Some children's stories are so simple, sweet, and timeless that they become "classics" - passed down from generation to generation. Only You (Harcourt, 2007), written by Robin Cruise and illustrated by Margaret Chodos-Irvine, reminds me of that kind of book. It is superbly written - the text is poetic and flows off the tongue. Literary mamas will love reading the words aloud. The text also happens to be extremely concise - the words are limited to only a few per page - so even the smallest of babies will enjoy this precious tale of the love of a parent for his/her child.
The pictures are captivating and really quite lovely with splashes of color and design in unexpected places. It's important to note that the book features three different parent/child "pairs" - an Asian mother and baby, an African-American father and baby, and a Caucasian mother and baby. The pictures provide a glimpse into a variety of different worlds and many parents and children will see themselves reflected in the book's pages.
The story itself warms the heart and is the perfect choice for bedtime, naptime, or morning snuggle time.
WIN IT! One mama will win a copy of Only You, written by Robin Cruise and illustrated by Margaret Chodos-Irvine. To enter, simply leave a comment on this post prior to Saturday, Mar. 29, at midnight (don't forget to follow the rules). The winner will be announced and contacted on Sunday, Mar. 30. * Winner must provide a U.S. mailing address.
*UPDATE* The winner is #63 Jen Mc. Congratulations!
Hello! I'm the author of ONLY YOU, and I want to thank each and every one of you for your enthusiastic comments. It's a simple but soulful text, and Margaret's illustrations add such welcome warmth and dimension. If only every child on the planet knew beyond doubt that he or she is loved ... Well, there would be more harmony and sheer joy on Earth. And I would feel a whole lot better about the future for our children and theirs.
With heartfelt thanks,
Robin Cruise
We read to both of our boys every night before bed. If given the option to watch something on tv they will typically select a story. This book looks wonderful. Thanks for the great giveaway.
The Angel Forever
as an educator and mom, I would love to win this one!
thanks for the contest
Reading is the best gift of all. Thank you for the nice giveaway.
I love books. You can never have too many!
My grandchildren and I always read before bedtime.
tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com
I love to read to my grandchildren
It really sounds like something I would love to read to my girls. Thank you!!
A book I'd love to read to my kids!!
This book sounds great. I think that it is important to expose children at a young age to different cultures and this seems to help out with that. I also like that this book focus on your baby and not elmo or whoever else. I try to tell Brea how much I love her everytime I get the chance and this will provide another chance along with a learning experience. Thanks.
Include me, please
yadgirl (at) chartertn (dot) net
I love to promote cultural diversity. I would love to add this to my library.
I don't read to my kids often enough. Last night we read book after book and they loved it.
Sounds like another great book! Please enter me for this wonderful giveaway!
I also like that the book introduces diverstiy. Sounds like a nice book to add to anyones library.
I love to be able to get books for my daughters that feature some diversity. We don't have very much where we live and I love to be able to expose them to different types of people and the lives they live though books. "The Skin You Live In" commented about ^above sounds wonderful. The book you are offering also looks like something I would love to read to my kids. Thanks for offering this giveaway.
mopsmomut[at]yahoo[dot]com
Looks like a wonderful book! I'd love to win.
I love books that reinforce a parents or grandparents love for their child/children. This sounds like one of those books.
As I always tell my grandchildren "I love you to the moon and back!"
Thanks for the contest.
Becky G.
[email protected]
looks like a lovely book
what a wonderful book...thanks for great contest!
We'd love to have a copy!!
I added you on prizeatron too!
http://www.prizeatron.com
great book!
our current favorite is bear snores on!
Books are great
We read a lot with our kids, and this one sounds like a book we'd like to add to our "library". Thanks for the chance! gumbi1313 at msn dot com
Enter me please!
i want to win
Books are great
I love books and so does my daughter!
Thanks for the contest
Reading has always been one of my favorite hobbies, so I've been reading to my daughter since we brought her home. Lately she's really started to enjoy it too. She'll grab a book and crawl into my lap. One of her favorites to hear is also one of my favorites to read. It's called "The Skin You Live In" and is a cute (rhyming) story about all the beautiful colors of skin that people have and that our skin doesn't make us who we are, but who we are inside, and what we do that counts.
i love to read with my grand children.
What a cool book - we love books and know how important it is to read to your kids/grandkids! Tks :-}
Sounds like a good book.
Wonderful illustrations! "I love you from the inside out." What a splendid way to celebrate your child. This book would be a delightful addition to our cuddle up library. Thanks for hosting!
We love good books, please add me!
Sounds great, please enter me
I love the book's positive message. Please enter me! Thanks, Kathy
[email protected]
whoohoo hope I win. Yay! lol
We are big readers around here too. I especially love that there are families of different races! how cool! its so hard to find books like that - and aren't cheesey, over the top diverse, or poorly written! What a great find! I'll have to request a copy in at my local library....
[email protected]
My daughter loves to for me to read to her. Any additions are welcome.
what a beautiful book, I know my girls would love daddy or myself reading the book to them
We'd love to read this book to our son.
I love these kind of storybooks, love reading them to my son.
palmersf(at)comcast(dot)net
We could use a new book around here!
dansan826 at yahoo.com
Sounds like an awesome book.
cathyandharold[at]verizon[dot]net
You know that I love books. I just looked this one up and it looks great. I love the affirming message of parental love.
It doesn't get any better than a good book! My daughter just loves snuggling up and reading book after book...her current favorite is Caterpillar Hides Away. A simple book about a caterpillar and the many colors he wishes he could be.
Our family is crazy about books as well, and this looks like a super sweet one. A book that's simple enough to be enjoyed by a toddler, but clever enough for mommy to not mind reading it several hundred times over...that's a winner!
love to win this
i need this one
I want to win!
Sweet book, I'd love it for my niece! =)
[email protected]
Looks like a great read with our children.
[email protected]
I love reading books to my daughter and this one sounds extra special! Please count me in on the contest so we have one more book to read together! Thanks for the contest!
[email protected]
Count me in!
Happy Easter! What an adorable book to share with a baby. How super that it is multicultural through its' pictures. Children's books are the best! Please enter me in your
drawing. Thanks,Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
Stephanie and all other mothers,
I am expecting my first, and as I am sure you all remember and know, it seems impossible to read too much! I am looking for good children's books as I am planning on instilling a love for reading with my child. Thank you!
I'd love to win a copy. :)
nice book
it would be great to find a new "special" book for me and Jasper since most of the books we have are Roo's.
Enter me, please.
this looks like a good book.
krystald88[at]hotmail[dot]com
sounds like a great book I would love to read it to my little ones
Sounds like a beautiful book! I would love to read this one to my kids!
Sounds like a perfect book to read to a little one!
Sounds like a good book.
Books and kids is the perfect combination. Thanks for the chance.
I love books and it's never too early to start a child on a love of books and reading. This would make a wonderful gift for a friend who just had a beautiful baby girl last month!
Nice prize.
i would like to have my grandson start a collection.
My grandaughter loves to be read to. I am slowly trying to build a small library of my old favorite books. This book sounds like it would be a new favorite.
Wow!!
great prize!
We love to read to our daughter! This would be awesome!
I love to read to my little girls. My 14 month old adores books and would really love it if I sat and read this one to her!
Great giveaway!
Thank you,
Suzanne B
I love books, so I'm excited about your theme weekend! I'm always looking for a good book to read to my kids at night, so pelase enter me!
Stephanie, I sent you an e-mail and it was returned more than once. if you didn't get my addy, please e-mail me and let me know, thanks and Happy Easter!