YOU ARE SPECIAL, LITTLE ONE

This companion to I Love You, Little One (1998) reads like a love song. Each page repeats the query of a young animal to his mama and papa: “How am I special?” Each set of parents adoringly proffers the wee one’s unique qualities, always culminating with, “. . . you are so special, and we will love you forever and ever and always.” Illuminated in both text and art is the profound (if somewhat romanticized) relationship between offspring and parent. The lion cub is reassured and the penguin chick is nuzzled. Tafuri draws her flora and fauna in gentle strokes and includes striking details of wildlife and its habitats. This homage to familial love ends with a young boy asking the same question of his parents drawing a parallel among all species. This is also a heartwarming vehicle for expanding vocabulary of animal babies, such as penguin chick and beaver kit. A gratifying read to be shared while cuddling. (Picture book. 2-6)