That's Love

That’s Love

Written by Sam Williams

Illustrations by Mique Moriuchi

Holiday House, 2006

32 pages

Picture Book-Fiction

                I chose this book because I think it is important to teach our students about love and loving others. This book is narrated by a little girl. She talks about the things that her 5 senses make her aware of. Smelling a flower, hearing a bumble bee buzzing, and feeling the air and taste of the sea are just a couple of the things she is experiencing. She then tells us what love is and what it looks like. The little girl is able to help us see love through the senses of a child. 

                Mique Moriuchi has done beautiful watercolor paintings for this book. Bright, rich colors are used. The pictures aren’t defined, but they are large. Looking at the pictures, you can see how they coincide with the theme of love throughout the book. Some pages seem to have collages along with the paintings.

                This book is appropriate for students ranging from preschool to first grade. Although this book may not have academic elements, it can be used in the classroom. Some elementary students may not know what love is because they don’t see it at home. We must not assume that our students know everything and must help them learn. This book could be used in a kindergarten classroom because it rhymes and it has a sing-song, melodic feel. As far as character education, this book could be taught in any grade.