I Love You, Mama, Any Time of the Year: 02/18/10

I Love You, Mama, Any Time of the Year by Nancy White Carlstrom is the second Jesse Bear book I've read. Like Better Not Get Wet, Jesse Bear my reaction to the book is, "huh?"

The Jesse Bear books seem to be weighted towards moral over anything else (plot, basic entertainment value). In this case the story serves to remind parents (while teaching children about the seasons of the year) that their children love them. Maybe it's also to teach children the importance of saying "I love you" to parents.

It's not just me who feels I Love You, Mama... is approaching a message of love bass-ackwards. Harriet and Sean both reacted with "of course the baby loves his mama. But does she love him?" I don't know. In Better Not Get Wet Jesse gets an entire book of being scolded for playing in ways that might get his sailor suit wet and very little in the ways of affection from his family.

For a better example of unconditional love, I suggest I Love You Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt.

Comments (2)

Comment #1: Saturday, February, 20, 2010 at 12:10:41

Nicola

As soon as I saw the picture I remembered reading this one to my son all the time! He's autistic and didn't speak a word until he was 4. But this was the "I Love You" book and we taught him the sign language for I love you so he could say it too. Memories!

Comment #2: Sunday, February 21, 2010 at 18:06:21

Pussreboots

I'm glad the book has fond memories for you.