I Love . . . Books that Awaken Compassion

I Love . . .
Written by Brigitte Minni
Illustrated by Natali Fortier

Ages 4-8
124 pages

Paperback $11.95
Kane/Miller Book Publishers
ISBN 978-1929132751

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This book, originally published in France, is only very loosely describable as a children’s book, as adults will find deep enjoyment in the familiar pleasures recounted by its narrator. We first encounter her on the book’s cover teetering in her mother’s red high heels. As we follow her through descriptions of the things she most loves, we meet a whole village of characters on our way. Gradually we get to know a little about Mama, Papa, a sister, a brother and his friend Yvan, the dog, the school principal, friend Margot and quirky Aunt Zaza. It’s the landscape of family relationships we’re traveling, and if every family were a healthy one with a delightful sense of humor, we might be taking a universal journey. If only! All the same, readers will readily embrace the gentle scenarios this little book presents.

“I love it when I want to take Nini, our Irish Setter, to school with me and Mama says, ‘Oh no, you know very well that Nini has to go to dog school.’ And I say, ‘Really? What does she learn in dog school?’ And Mama says, ‘Why, how to bark in French, of course. Don’t pretend you don’t know.”

The illustrations, done in pastel and pencil, provide ample movement. Pages dance at a friendly pace between scenes of characters in relationship, to the wonderful shapes of a row of keys, to the protagonist seated on the edge of Doctor Suppo’s examining table watching her leg straighten out, presumably in response to the tap of “his little hammer.” This series of vignettes captures the interior life of childhood with rare veracity. The linework, never overworked and therefore always fascinating, bestows a wealth of compassionate meanings on the text.

Readers will be charmed to discover that the main character — lanky and with hair that’s realistically wayward — not only loves what she encounters but is embraced by the world in kind, exactly as she is. The narrator of I Love . . . is no Fancy Nancy, but she’s certainly not a Plain Jane, either. If we’re tempted to think so at first glance, these many glimpses into our narrator’s interior life reveal the timeless truth that beauty is found in others gradually, day by day, as we live near to them, as we notice what they love and find ourselves nodding our heads in agreement.

I consider Minni’s and Fortier’s I Love . . . to be a “green book” because it speaks to sustainability in human relationships: families and communities. This book models relationships with self, with others, and with the environment based on compassion, honesty, acceptance, humor, and mutual appreciation. Such are the many faces of love. Read it yourself and see!

Ceci Miller owns CeciBooks, an editorial and book publishing consultancy that empowers authors to write, publish, and market irresistible books that uplift and inspire. Ceci has written, co-authored, and edited books with bestselling authors and experts since 1988. See book projects here.

A graduate of the University of Iowa Writer’s Workshop, Ceci Miller is also the author of two published children’s picture books, and former contributing editor for Darshan, an international magazine dedicated to fostering sacred awareness in daily life. A student of yoga and meditation since 1976, Ceci leads seminars that explore the creative process as a vehicle for personal transformation. Based on her book Sacred Visitations, and the popular book she co-authored with John Lee, Writing from the Body: For Writers, Artists & Dreamers, Ceci’s work (both with CeciBooks authors and in public programs) blends writing and intuitive guidance with contemplative practices that connect your right brain creativity with your true intention.

The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming

The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming
by Laurie David and Cambria Gordon
Illustrations by Stephen Schudlich
Ages 9-12
Orchard Books
Paperback $15.99

Somebody thought it might be possible to write a book for kids about global warming and ways to save the planet that was (a) informative and (b) not depressing. Apparently, two somebodies, both heaven-bent on doing all in their power to save the planet by educating as many of its inhabitants (especially the young) as possible. Founder of the Stop Global Warming Virtual March and a producer of An Inconvenient Truth with Al Gore, Laurie Gordon co-authored the book with environmentalist and children’s book author Cambria Gordon. It worked. Not only is this book  capable of inspiring kids to save the planet, I’d read it again and again just to experience the comic genius of Stephen Schudlich’s illustrations. Therefore, at the top of my list of books to save the planet is this down-to-earth guide. Yes, it’s about global warming. And yes, global warming is a bummer. But kids these days are not dummies; they know they’re inheriting a mess, and they appreciate it when we don’t sugar-coat the fact. They also appreciate getting those facts with a little nutty humor thrown in. Kids as well as adults instinctively seem to understand that, if we lose our sense of humor–even about a subject as serious as global warming–we’re toast.

The book is written for readers aged 9-12, but much younger kids will be intrigued enough by Schudlich’s drawings to want to be included in The Down-to-Earth Guide’s irreverent world of save-the-planet science. Be prepared to flip through these surprisingly fun pages with a willingness to dig into the ways in which our actions affect the planet we share. Savvy parents will welcome this book as a springboard to greater learning and opportunities for community action. If, like me, you look at our kids and grandkids and realize that learning how we can save our planet is a basic requirement of residence on Earth, you’ll welcome this book into your home.