Module 1 - Love You Forever

       

Summary: 

This book is basically about a mother that loves her son dearly. The progression from the time he is born from the day she dies shows there is an everlasting bond between mother and child.  The highlighted moments are times like her son messing up the bathroom or when he is simply asleep in his bed.  Every night she rocks him to sleep singing him the “Love You Forever” lullaby. She loves him through good times and bad times.  Even as he grows older into adolescence and into manhood she still rocks him to sleep singing the lullaby.  The mother eventually grows old enough that she cannot rock her son to sleep anymore.  Instead the son returns the loving favor and rocks her to sleep singing the same lullaby. 


APA Reference:


Munsch, R. N. (1986). Love you forever. Buffalo, NY:  Firefly Books Ltd. 

My Impressions:

I received this book when I found out I was pregnant.  It is a very popular book at daycares and among certain parent groups that I was a part of.  I liked the book.  I can appreciate that ultimate bond you share with your child. I could relate to how the mother felt.  Sometimes it seems that you want to hold your baby forever.  But I have to say that I did find it a little odd that the story continued on with the mom rocking her grown son to sleep.  I also agreed with the review that it was a little funny to think of a grown woman crawling across the floor to see if her son was asleep.  However, there is just enough sentiment that warms the heart. It is one of those books among the first I ever received as a mother and it was one that I have kept all of these years.  

Professional Reviews:

Canadian Materials Archives Review

This newest story by Robert Munsch differs from those in his previous books by using a quieter and more introspective approach.  Munsch shows the love a mother has for her son from the time of his birth to adulthood.

The words in Munsch’s stories are always simple, and this book is no exception.  He has a keen ear for words and sounds that appeal to children, catch their attention, and can be exaggerated in the telling.  In Love You Forever, Munsch uses the words “crazy” and “zoo” to that effect.  The use of the word “crawl” is another example.  Munsch has the mother crawl across the floor to her son’s bed to see if he is asleep.  We laugh at the image, but the use of these words adds an element of slapstick that conflicts with the theme. 

Munsch uses the same sentence pattern throughout the story, using repetition of words to accentuate each stage of development.  Repetition of a song is also used.  The song is sung six times by the mother and twice by the son.  Since no accompaniment has been included, storytellers will be able to compose a tune that will suit their own styles of storytelling.  With the use of a song, Munsch plays on the sentiments of his listeners to provoke a reaction that he will no doubt receive.  A good supply of Kleenex tissues will be needed.

Gagnon, A. (1987, March). Love you forever (Book Review). Canadian Materials Archive. Retrieved from http://www.umanitoba.ca/cm/cmarchive/vol15no2/loveyouforever.html

Library Uses:

a.       I would use this book as part of a mother’s day theme activity.

b.      I am not much for ideas with elementary aged children but I think this would be a good story for the first day of school for Kindergarteners.  It is very hard to be away from their parents.