Love Is a Handful of Honey
by Giles Andreae, illustrated by Vanessa Cabban
Tiger Tales/ME Media, 2001.
ISBN: 1589250036
My rating: 
Love is that highflying feeling
That makes you leap out of your bed.
Love is what makes you throw open the curtains
And somersault round on your head
Love is that warm cozy feeling
A cuddle that tells you you're sweet,
And love is that feeling of laughing out loud
When somebody tickles your feet.
--Love Is a Handful of Honey, by Giles Andreae, illustrated by Vanessa Cabban, p. 1-4.
Andreae takes us through a young bear's day, from waking up to going to bed, equating happy events and feelings with love. ("Love is that fluttery feeling you feel/when a butterfly taps on your toes.")
The love that Andreae mentions are all connected to activities that young readers will recognize and enjoy doing, both alone and with others, such as splashing through puddles, snuggling with someone, eating when you're hungry. Andreae captures the excited and carefree happiness of young ones well--skipping, hopping, stuffing food into mouths, enjoying being soaked by the rain.
The book is written in rhyming text. Many rhymes don't quite scan or have too many beats, however, the sentiment behind them is joyful and loving.
Cabban's watercolour illustrations, with their soft, warm tones, gentle scenes and smiling faces, communicate happiness, security, and love. In every painting except the very last, there are three small mice that young readers will enjoy finding and pointing out.
The text and illustrations mesh to provide a strong feeling of love, happiness, and security. A soothing story.
Want more books?
Go back to 
