It was a lovely surprise to see another book by "Guess
How Much I Love You" author, Sam McBratney while I was bookshop browsing a
couple of weeks ago. After reading the synopsis, I immediately went to the
counter to ask if I could see the inside of the book. Good thing the lady who
assisted me had to answer a call after she opened the book's plastic cover
because I got teary eyed when I read it. I actually had to pause for a moment
and compose myself before I could tell her I would be buying it.
"You're All My Favorites" is about three baby bears who
start to wonder who among them their mommy and daddy bear like the best. In the
story, each baby bear describes himself/herself according to birth order, color,
gender, and size. These descriptions show how each baby bear is unique. However, in
their young little bear minds, they tend to perceive their unique qualities as
something that may prevent mommy and daddy bear from liking them best.
Through the baby bears' musings, the book shows that
competition among siblings is a normal part of family life. I'm actually
starting to see this in my twin toddlers. Although Audrey and Antonino may not
be able to ask questions like the three baby bears yet, their actions are starting to show the
tendency for siblings (especially twins) to get competitive. When the three of
us are in their play area and one of them is sitting on my lap, the one who's
not sitting on my lap will try to nudge his/her twin away. It's as if not
sitting on mommy's lap translates to less love for them.
As parents, we love our children unconditionally and want
them to know that they are loved and cherished equally. "You're All My
Favorites" does a great job in explaining to the baby bears that each one
of them is loved the same because of their unique characteristics. The story
shows the importance of celebrating each child's special quirks and talents,
and how each child is irreplaceable. This is a really important concept
especially for young kids who tend to wonder who is loved more by mommy or
daddy.
"You're All My Favorites" is a great bedtime read.
The watercolor illustrations create a dream-like feel, and the story helps parents reassure
their children how loved they are. This book is highly recommended for twins
who are subject to constant comparison as well as families with more than one
child.
If you're thinking of getting the book, we bought our copy
from Fully Booked. Remember to read it with a box of tissue!
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