Who Loves Me?
What’s inside...
At bedtime, a cat in the window reassures a little girl that family members, friends, her dog, and even her brother love her. A tender ode to unconditional love. A little girl asks the same question she must ask every night before drifting off to sleep...who loves me? The result is a soothing and tender good-night tale brimming with heart, in which a little girl learns of the enormous love that surrounds her. Beloved author Patricia MacLachlan gives voice to that most elemental need, the need for love. Newbery Medal winner Patricia MacLachlan's words are brought to life by Amanda Shepherd's playful and exquisitely painted illustrations. This inspired book of unconditional love and reassurance has all the makings of a classic. Ages 4 - 8
Age
2-4
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What are some ways the characters in the book show love to each other?
How did the book make you feel when you saw the characters helping each other?
Can you think of a time when someone showed you love like in the story?
Why do you think it's important to show love to others?
What are some things you can do to show love to your family and friends?
Tip: Role play these questions
Begin the discussion with a warm-up, asking your child how they felt about the story. Use the questions to guide a deeper conversation about the themes of love and care depicted in the book. Encourage your child to relate the story to their own experiences, which helps personalize the message. Celebrate their responses to build confidence and promote an open dialogue. Lastly, consider co-creating a ‘love action plan’ where you both think of ways to show love to each other and to others, inspired by the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding Family Love
Explanation: The story highlights the unconditional love that family members have for each other, depicted through various family interactions.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and recognize the love expressed in their own family interactions, fostering a sense of security and belonging.
Example Lesson: Empathy Development
Explanation: The narrative encourages children to understand and share the feelings of the characters, teaching them to be sensitive to others' emotions.
Real-World Application: This helps children to develop empathy, enabling them to build stronger relationships with peers and family through understanding different perspectives.
Example Lesson: Importance of Expressing Feelings
Explanation: The story shows characters openly expressing their love, demonstrating the positive effects of open emotional expression.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to express their own feelings more openly, which can lead to better emotional health and communication skills.
Example Lesson: Recognizing Different Forms of Love
Explanation: The book illustrates that love can manifest in different ways through various characters and their actions.
Real-World Application: Children learn that love is not one-size-fits-all and can recognize and appreciate different expressions of love in their lives.
Example Lesson: Value of Questioning and Curiosity
Explanation: The protagonist’s journey is driven by questions about who loves her, portraying curiosity as a positive trait.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to ask questions and seek answers, enhancing their understanding of the world and promoting intellectual development.