How we love

PreS-Gr 1--Each page in this book features a photograph of people accompanied by a few words about love. The text says love can be expressed when we help one another, when we share, when we're patient. Love can be difficult during times of stress or grief. The text rhymes but lacks rhythm, making for a clunky read-aloud. The photos feature a wide variety of skin tones, body types, and physical abilities. The photographs are sharp and vivid, but uncanny. Some backgrounds are flat and unnatural. One little girl reads a digitally altered book, and a couple of photographs have odd, impossible shadows. Back matter features an author's note that guides adults on how to use the book and encourages them to point out images that express love without touch. There are also some simple discussion questions about love and conflict resolution. VERDICT Well-meaning, but the poor quality of the text and photograph compositions makes this one to pass on.

Love makes the world go round, but it can be a complex concept to explain to a toddler. Thankfully, Douglas and Jefferson tackle the topic with aplomb, providing soon-to-be readers with simple text and images and caregivers with a superb tool to spark conversation. Pairing brief sentences with eye-catching photos, the authors emphasize that love is a multifaceted thing: "Sometimes love feels happy. Sometimes it brings a tear." "Love can be soft and gentle or hard when we need space." The accompanying visuals clarify the points made in ways little ones will readily understand (a caregiver cradles a baby; a child in need of space holds out a hand). Douglas and Jefferson demonstrate ways to express their love: "Sometimes love is helpful" (a youngster helps a parent wash dishes). "Love is listening even when there's nothing to say" (a child comforts a crying baby; two people hug). A diverse cast is depicted. Several couples read as same-sex; a family in a courtroom celebrates their adoption being made official. The relationships between the people portrayed aren't made explicitly clear by the text, offering a wide variety of readers the opportunity to see themselves here. To aid in starting dialogue, the last pages of the book feature discussion questions for youngsters ranging in age from babies and toddlers up to age 6, along with a note for grown-ups. We love it! Happy families are wildly different in this joyfully inclusive series of lavishly photographed portraits.(Board book. 1-4) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.