I Love You the Purplest

This is a beautiful book. The illustrations are breathtaking, and so is some of the prose: "I love you the color of a dragonfly at the tip of its wing." Yes, I wish I could write (or think) sentences like that.

Yet, I find reading this book dissatisfying. I always come away just a little bit annoyed with this Mama, with her book, with the way she deals with her sons. It's hard to put my finger on exactly why--certainly I agree that people should be appreciated for who they are. As parents, we ought to be helping our children to see their strengths, and this Mama is the consummate encourager. So what's the problem? I think it comes from the sense I get that nothing these children do could ever, ever be best. Even if one of them were, show more legitimately, a musical prodigy, she would affirm the other, equally, for his own, clearly more amateur efforts on the piano. The woman appears unwilling to make a true value judgment--this is better than that. She likes her boys for who they are, but she refuses to admit that one of them might be genuinely better--at anything--than the other. As a reader, I am not satisfied with that, and have difficulty believing that the boys in the book--competitive as they are--are satisfied either.

On the other hand, I have a sister and a daughter who both love the book, so perhaps I'm just unhealthily competitive. And I have to admit that despite my dissatisfaction with the message, I come back to this now and then to look at the pictures and savor the language. It's such a gorgeous book. show less

I'll admit it. I think this book is a little syrupy. The mother is just too too patient with her ultra-competitive little ones. All they care about is being the best, and yet, she always manages to have the answer which avoids choosing favorites. (Frankly, she sets a standard that's hard to live up to.) Neither son is the best rower - one rows deep, the other rows fast. Neither is the best fisherman - one gets more fish, but the other got the smart fish. And so on.

And yet, despite the fact that I think it's just a tad bit on the sweet side for me, I do like it. This *is* a good way of talking to kids (even only children benefit from being specifically complimented on what they do instead of being generically told they're the "best"), show more and the message that there's value in everybody's actions (even if they aren't the "best") is a good one for kids to hear. show less

I've been excited to purchase this book, now that I have two beautiful girls who are more and more aware of each other. The story is about a mom spending an idyllic day with her two sons, and the boys are constantly competing for her affections. Every time one asks her who she likes better, this clever mom comes up with sweet ways of explaining how she loves them both equally but different.

I discovered this picture book when I worked at a bookstore many years ago, and fell in love with the poetic language and soft illustrations. The mother's responses are lyric, and she always compares the boys to different colors that capture their personalities. The pictures incorporate her words and the color symbolism in beautiful watercolors that show more perfectly capture a hazy summer day. After I read it, I knew that I would someday buy it when I had two children of my own.

I have to admit, the story and illustrations are not all that captivating for a toddler or preschool mind. I read it to them the other day and lost my oldest daughter's interest after a few pages. It doesn't have that whole package of gripping story, engaging illustrations, and the ability to capture a child's attention. It is just a very sweet story that encapsulates a healthy family dynamic. Perhaps the story is meant for parents who can best understand what the mother is feeling. I like to think, though, that after hearing the story sporadically throughout years of books shared together, my daughters will come to appreciate the message, and even embrace this picture book as a staple of their childhood. show less

In the beautiful book illustrated by Mary Whyte and written by Barbara M. Jossee, called I Love You the Purplest, a mother and her two playful sons spend time in the outdoors near their small red cabin. With a little bit of healthy sibling rivalry, the boys ask their Mama which one does each thing best and who she loves the most. Very creatively and lovingly, Mama tells each son that she loves his individual qualities without comparing them to one another, giving both boys the reassurance they need.

The competition reminds me of two of my sons when they were growing up. As a matter of fact, now all three of them are usually in the middle of some kind of competition most of the time.

This book could be read to reassure a new big brother or show more sister who has just been blessed with the arrival of a new sibling. It could help ease the worry that a mother would have to lose some of her love for one when another one comes along.

It could open up a discussion about families such as how many siblings we each have, what kind of activities we do together, if we've ever fished from a boat, etc. show less

A wonderful, short story about two brothers competing for their mothers approval and love. Though out the story the mother cleverly teaches her boys that she loves them the same, but in a unique way.

A book about a mother and her two sons. They go out to fish, but before they fish they have to dig up worms. The author uses many descriptive words when talking about the weather, the dirt, the water, etc. It brings readers into the story and helps them feel like they are there with the characters during their adventure. Great book to share to students especially for those who have a single mother taking care of them. It shows that parents can come in all different forms.

Max and Julian go fishing with their mom. The book highlights the wonderful differences in the boys personalities. As mom tucks them in for bed, she explains how she loves them each in their own unique way.