I LOVE YOU MORE THAN CEREAL

This illustrated children’s book from Justin Black and Alexis Black teaches a lesson about loving oneself as well as others.

Maeva, who appears to be about 6 years old and has light brown skin, loves her new purple bicycle and wants to show it off to her friends, who are “going to be so jealous.” Maeva’s father is saddened by her desire to make the other kids “eat [her] dust,” but Maeva thinks the jealousy and admiration of her friends will make her happy. Before Maeva heads to the park, her father says: “You used the word ‘love’ quite a bit when you were talking about your bike….What does ‘love’ mean to you?” Dad asserts that love is “about how we treat ourselves and other people too.” Together, Maeva and Dad conclude that love is “patient and kind,” “warm and happy,” and “doesn’t make other people feel bad.” Happily, Maeva sets off to the park to share her candy with her friends and ride alongside them. The authors use this simple conversation between Maeva and her father to teach young readers about love. Their story is simply written and easily understood, with a clear message. The full-color illustrations, credited to 1000 Storybooks, complement the text with their simplicity and use of a soft color palette.

A charming lesson in love seen through a child’s eyes.