I’d Know You Anywhere My Love

By Nancy Tillman
Feiwel & Friends; Illustrated Edition 2015
Board Book, 34 Pages, ages 1 – 4 years

Every child is special and unique, and every child also imagines him or herself as something or someone different. 

“There are things about you quite unlike any other.
Things always known by your father or mother. 
So if you decide to be different one day,
No worries…I’d know you anyway.”

Young children love to pretend, and pretending to be something different than they are is a safe way to experience and navigate their world, explore perspective from a different viewpoint,  and learn about how other beings are feeling or thinking. The mother in this book, recognizable on every page by something red, interacts in some way with the animal portrayed. She assures the child that no matter what they become she will always recognize the smile, or gleam in their eyes, and will be able to affirm any aspect of the child’s appearance. There are also parts of this book that are interactive between the narrative and the reader, which encourages learning and imagination.

So much love packed into every page of this heartwarming tale.

In truth, Nancy Tillman is one of my favorite authors. Her text is always simple but relevant, brief but believable. Her artwork is engaging and beautiful, and lends a feeling of whimsy to each and every story. It has been her mission, as an author, to convey a message of “you are loved” to children everywhere. Sometimes her books are termed as being a little sappy, but only in the best way possible. Though written for ages 1-4 years this book is unique in how widely it has cast its net to include parents, grandparents, siblings and more.

I’d Know You Anywhere, My Love by Nancy Tillman receives 5 stars from this reviewer.