No Matter What - Debi Gliori

.../> I'll always love you no matter what.'"

Small then goes on to ask Large would love him if he were a grizzly bear, a bug or a crocodile. Large always tells him the same answer, that she would love him no matter what.

Small then gets a little bit philosophical and asks if love wears out, breaks or bends and wonders if it can be fixed, stuck or mended. Large isn't sure but reassures him that she will love him forever.
...
"'But what about when we're dead and gone,
would you love me then, does love go on?'

Large held Small snug as they looked out at the night,
At the moon in the dark and the stars shining bright.
'Small, look at the stars - how they shine and glow,
but some of those stars died a long time ago.
Still they shine in the evening skies
Love, like starlight, never dies.'"

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***Background***

I first came across Debi Gliori from the Woodland Friends series of books. These were a series of board books with sparkly bits in them to attract a young child's attention. For more information you can have a look at my reviews on them.

I then found a couple of her Mr Bear books and my son also loved these so of course he leapt at the chance to get yet another of her books from the library in the form of this lovely tale.

For older readers, she also writes the Pure Dead series.

***The Story***

The story starts with a little fox called Small who is not very happy at all and a picture of his mother, Large, in the background.

"Playing toss and fling and squash,
yell and scream and bang and crash.
Break and snap and bash and batter…
'Good grief,' said Large.
'What is the matter?'

Small said, 'I'm a grim and grumpy little Small
And nobody loves me at all.'
'Oh Small,' said Large. 'Grumpy or not,
I'll always love you no matter what.'"

Small then goes on to ask Large would love him if he were a grizzly bear, a bug or a crocodile. Large always tells him the same answer, that she would love him no matter what.

Small then gets a little bit philosophical and asks if love wears out, breaks or bends and wonders if it can be fixed, stuck or mended. Large isn't sure but reassures him that she will love him forever.

The book ends with Small asking,

"'But what about when we're dead and gone,
would you love me then, does love go on?'

Large held Small snug as they looked out at the night,
At the moon in the dark and the stars shining bright.
'Small, look at the stars - how they shine and glow,
but some of those stars died a long time ago.
Still they shine in the evening skies
Love, like starlight, never dies.'"

When you look at the final picture you can see a picture of their house with them both cuddling up at a window, looking at the stars.

***The Illustrations***

The pictures in this book are lovely and go really well with the story. The characters are realistic looking and the expressions on their faces are amazing. The colours are bright and the writing is bold and black so it stands out well on the backgrounds.

***My Thoughts***

I'm turning into rather a big fan of Debi Gliori and my son loves the simple rhymes and funny images on the pages. Although he is 5 now, he loves nothing more than having a cuddle with me and is always telling me how much he loves me so this book seems to really hit home for him.

It's a simple story along the way with some beautifully, clear illustrations and just has an amazing 'Awwww' factor to it. I know that all children need reassurance that they are loved and this book lets a parent see how they might be wondering. We see the expression of worry and sadness on Small's face when he thinks that there might be times when Large won't love him and then the smile and happiness that appears when Large tells him what he needs to hear.

The rhymes are great for encouraging a child to read along with you and my son had this book memorized after only a few reads. It's a lovely one to read at bedtime as you can tuck you child in and give them a big cuddle as you read it to them. My son sometimes pretends to be a bug or a crocodile snapping as we go through the book. I always give him a big cuddle just like Large does with Small.

I know quite a few people are still unaware of this amazing author's work and I urge all parents to start to have a look around, either at your library or at a bookshop to see if you can get your hands on some of her work. They really are lovely books and my son is a definite fan.

***Other Debi Gliori Books***

When I'm Big
Flora's Blanket
Give Him My Heart
Penguin Post
Mr Bear's New Baby
Mr Bear's Picnic
Mr Bear To The Rescue
Mr Bear's Holiday
Mr Bear Babysits

***Price and Availability***

This large paperback sells for £5.99 but is available from Tesco for only £4.49.

ISBN No. 0747563314
 

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