Martha Sears West

Longer Than Forevermore Martha Sears West

"...an ideal bedtime book." -Kirkus Reviews A children's picture book that presents a story within a story about the enduring nature of love... uses soft, realistic artwork and simple language to tell a reassuring tale. The book opens and closes with stark, black-and-white silhouette illustrations of a young girl and a baby reading a book together ("I'll turn the pages and you can look at the pictures," the girl says). This frames the central, rhyming text, told from a plural first-person point of view, about the many ways that a person can be loved: "We love you when you're roaring, or as quiet as a mouse." This main section features bright, colorful images of pleasing landscapes, animals, and a young boy in what appears to be a somewhat digitized watercolor style. The text is simple, but it has a classic feel, and it avoids flashiness and humorous touches in favor of a serious but positive tone. It also isn't overly wordy; most pages contain just a single sentence, and this brevity will make the book work well as a read-aloud for younger children. (In this context, the young girl's phrase, "You were a good listener!," will ring true.) The soothing images and calm, reassuring language make it an ideal bedtime book, as well. ... the rhyming text throughout gives the story a pleasing rhythm, as in lines such as, "More than all the grains of sand, which we could never count. And if we add them all...we'll love you more than that amount." The illustrations are ... beautiful .... This book's straightforward rhythm and appealing illustrations will likely make it a favorite of parents and young children. -- Kirkus Reviews July 30, 2015