I Love You the Purplest by Barbara M. Joosse; Illustrated by Mary Whyte
	List Price:   $16.99 Unit Price:   $13.59 You Save:   $3.40 (20%) ISBN-10:   0811807185 ISBN-13:   9780811807180 Publisher:   Chronicle Books Edition:   illustrated Category:   Picture Books Pub. Date:   September 1996 Pages:   32 Format:   Hardcover Ages:   3 to 8 Grades:   ps to 3
Description/Notes
Barbara M. Joosse lives in Wisconsin and is the author of more than sixteen books. She had the idea for this story when the mother of young twins told her that they often ask, 'Mama, who do you love best?' Ms. Joosse imagined that this is the answer they might like. --CHILD,January 1997 To children who ask 'Who do you love best?' this book offers the perfect balm. The setting for eloquent text and watercolors is a day spent fishing--and competing to be number one. Each child, a mother tells her two sons, is beloved for his own special ualities. The deliberate Julian is loved 'the bluest,' ebullient Max 'the reddest,' for a combined love that is 'the purplest.' --PARENTS,December 1996 When two brothers ask their mother which one she loves best, she comes up with a wise and loving answer. This book is a tender reminder that have a special place in their parents' hearts. --BOOKLIST,October 15, 1996 Further probing the theme of her Seprember 16, 1996The setting is idyllic as two brothers and their Mama go fishing in the lake near their cabin until stars sprinkle the sky and the water turns dark as night. Max is boisterous; Julian is quieter and both of them are rivals for their mother's attention and her love. Who's the best fisherman? they ask Who's the best rower? At the end of the day, who does Mama love the best? Each time she answers them to show that she loves them both for their own special selves. Whyte's double-page-spread watercolors show the warm family scenes in a landscape filled with light and color. A soft affectionate story to confront the hard edges of sibling rivalry. --CHILD,Best Books of the Year, December/January 1997 To children who ask, 'Who do you love the best?' this book offers the perfect balm. The setting for eloquent text and watercolors is a day spent fishing--and competing to be number one. Each child, a mother tells her two sons, is beloved for his own special qualitites. The deliberate Julian is loved 'the bluest,' ebullient Max 'the reddest,' for a combined love that is 'the purplest.' A wise and loving mother reassures two brothers that each has a special place in her heart in this moving celebration of parental love and of the unique qualities that make every child an individual. Two young brothers compete for the attention of their mother, who demonstrates that she loves them equally. Two boys discover that their mother loves them equally but in different ways. Award winning author Barbara M. Joosse and fine artist Mary Whyte have teamed up to create a beautiful story of two brothers and their mother. As the family spends the day fishing, the two boys vie for attention. They ask their Mama who is best at finding worms, who rows the fastest, who is the best fisherman and ultimately, 'Who do you love best?' This universal question is perfectly answered when, in the spirit of true unconditional love, Mama explains that she loves each of them in their own special way. The jubilant Max she loves the 'reddest' and the quiet Julian she loves the 'bluest.' Together she loves both her boys the 'purplest.' A celebration of both parental love and of the unique qualities that make every child an individual, the warm illustrations coupled with an eloquent text, speak to any child, parent, or sibling. Early in the evening two young brothers and their mama finish supper in the sturdy red cabin and set out to fish. While digging for worms, rowing the boat and pulling in fish, each brother asks his mama which one is the best at each task and, as they are being tucked into bed, which one she loves the best. Barbara Joosse's heartwarming text is beautifully complimented by Mary Whyte's engaging watercolor illustrations. Readers will delight in the tender message that every child holds a special place in a parent's heart. Awards and honors for I Love You the Purplest: American Bookseller, 'Pick of the Lists' Child Magazine, 'Best Books of 1996' Jr. Library Guild selection Parents, 'Best Books of the Year 1996' Council for Wisconsin Writers Archer/Eckblad Award The universal question of 'Who do you love the best?' is perfectly answered by the author of the best-selling Mama, Do You Love Me?