Title: You Are Loved
Author: Liv Downing
Illustrator: Mel Matthews
Published: October 5 2022
Publisher: Allen and Unwin
Readership: Children (Picturebook)
Rating: ★★★★★
RRP: $24.99
I received a copy of You Are Loved from the publishers for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A warm and reassuring celebration of unconditional love. Cut outs on each page create a beautiful heart to make this book a very special object to treasure and share.
You are loved when you don’t.
You are loved when you brush your teeth.
You are loved when you won’t.
You are loved all the days and nights,
in sunshine and in rain.
And if you forget, put your hand on your heart
and feel the love again.
This beautiful and timely book affirms and reassures children that they are loved, no matter what.
You Are Loved is a gorgeous boardbook/picturebook with cut-outs in each page that build a beautiful coloured heart. It’s by @livdowning, a registered psychologist, podcast host, mindfulness educator and meditation teacher.
Each page reiterates that no matter where we are, who we’re with or what we’re doing or feeling, we’re loved. It uses simple text and beautiful, vibrant images to create a visual treat for the eyes. The cut out pages create a heart, but are also a great sensory element for young children – and the strong board pages mean this book can withstand lots and lots of page turning.
This is a fantastic book for parents of young children or teachers/educators working with children. I loved the addition of a simple children’s meditation at the back of the book that provides clear instructions for people who want to utilise it. It’s accessible enough that children who can read independently can follow it on their own, too.
While this book provides lots of relatable scenarios for when children are loved, it also opens the door for children to suggest other scenarios (which would be perfect for in the classroom).
You Are Loved would make a perfect addition to anyone’s collection (or gift for someone else’s)!
Noveltea Corner 