What Is Love?

A young boy embarks on a quest to understand the meaning of love, prompted by guidance from his grandmother. As he travels through his world seeking answers, he encounters various people who each offer their own unique perspective. Carson Ellis's watercolor illustrations accompany the narrative through muted earth tones and distinctive hand-lettering. The visual style creates a series of moments captured in time as the boy moves from person to person on his journey. Short, repetitive phrases in the text make the story accessible to young readers, while the subject matter resonates across age groups. The partnership between words and illustrations builds multiple layers of meaning throughout the book. The story explores how love means different things to different people, presenting a meditation on one of life's most fundamental questions through a child's perspective. Its approach to this universal theme invites readers to reflect on their own understanding of love.

Readers appreciate the book's open-ended approach to exploring love through a child's questions and the diverse examples provided. Parents note it works well for bedtime reading and sparking conversations with children about different types of love. Liked: - Carson Ellis's illustrations, described as "whimsical but not saccharine" - Simple yet profound text that resonates with both children and adults - Ability to start meaningful family discussions - Humor mixed with emotional depth Disliked: - Some found the ending unsatisfying or too abstract - A few readers wanted more concrete answers about love - Price point considered high for length Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (500+ ratings) Notable reviews: "Perfect balance of silly and sweet" - School Library Journal "Helps children understand love isn't just one thing" - Parent reviewer on Amazon "The illustrations tell as much of the story as the words" - Kirkus Reviews

Love by Matt de la Peña A young boy discovers love manifests in everyday moments and small acts of kindness as he observes life unfold in his urban community.

The Heart and the Bottle by Oliver Jeffers A girl's journey through grief and healing shows how the heart processes love and loss in ways that mirror the quest for understanding in What Is Love?

Tomorrow I'll Be Brave by Jessica Hische The search for meaning takes form through a child's nighttime reflections on life's important qualities, similar to the questioning nature of Barnett's protagonist.

Maybe by Kobi Yamada A child explores life's possibilities and discovers truths about existence through encounters with different perspectives, echoing the philosophical journey in What Is Love?

The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin Parents share their views of love and potential with their children, creating a parallel to the various definitions of love found in Barnett's work.

🌟 Mac Barnett has authored over 40 children's books and is a two-time Caldecott Honor winner for his exceptional work in children's literature. 🎨 The illustrator, Carson Ellis, is the acclaimed artist behind the Wildwood Chronicles and has a prestigious Caldecott Honor for her work on "Du Iz Tak?" 📚 The concept of defining love through multiple perspectives mirrors the ancient Greek philosophers' practice of exploring complex ideas through dialogue and multiple viewpoints. 🌍 The book's structure, featuring a child asking various community members about love, reflects the African proverb "It takes a village to raise a child," emphasizing collective wisdom. 🏆 This book was named one of the Best Children's Books of 2021 by both The New York Times and Publishers Weekly, cementing its place among contemporary classics.