IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CHILDREN’S BOOK REVIEW AND FLYING CARDINAL PRESS.

ABOUT THE BOOK

My Love for You Is Like a Garden

Written and Illustrated by Laura Smetana

All Ages | 38 Pages

Publisher: Flying Cardinal Press | ISBN-13: 9781737140962

Publisher’s Book Summary: With bright, watercolor collages, My Love for You Is Like a Garden celebrates unconditional love with vibrant garden scenes that will delight fans of Lois Ehlert and Eric Carle. Perfect for baby showers, bedtime read-alouds, or anyone you love!

Say “I love you” with this charming picture book families will love reading together over and over again. Bold, colorful illustrations of flowers, butterflies, and animals will inspire readers of all ages to explore the natural world⁠—and maybe even plant their own garden. Children will delight in finding ladybugs hidden throughout, and a glossary provides the names of each plant and animal featured. A beautiful book to share with a child, parent, or anyone who means the world to you!

My Love for You is Like a Garden Activity Kit – Free Download

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon

Bookshop

Barnes and Noble

Author’s Website

A Friends and Family Offer

If you’ve already purchased a copy of My Love for You Is Like a Garden, head on over to Laura Smetana’s website to receive two free downloadable 8×10 watercolor collage art prints:

–Print 1 – My love for you is like a garden

–Print 2 – My love for you flows freely

ABOUT THE AUTHOR-ILLUSTRATOR

Laura Smetana is the author and illustrator of My Love for You Is Like a Garden, a joyful picture book that celebrates unconditional love with bold, watercolor collages of garden scenes. She is also the author of Ice Cream with Grandpa: A Loving Story for Kids About Alzheimer’s & Dementia (illustrated by Elisabete B. P. de Moraes), which was winner of a Northern Lights Book Award, and Little Squiggle’s Lake Adventure, which she co-authored with her son, Stirling Hebda.

shaWhen she isn’t writing or painting, Laura can be found talking to kids at school author visits, gardening in her sunhat, and spending time with her family outdoors. Laura lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband and son. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and the Downers Grove Artists’ Guild.

Visit her online at www.laurasmetana.com and @SmetanaLaura on Twitter.

MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK

OUR LOVE KNOWS NO BOUNDS

My Love For You Is Like A Garden

Written by Laura Smetana

What a beautiful way to express a message of love! This simple picture book contains soft, watercolors that match its gentle message. Smetana compares her love to the elements found in a garden like the warm sun, the smell of lilacs, the blades of grass, water flowing, and butterflies dancing, to name a few.

Its message correlated with our senses in short sentences presented in an easy-to-read font appeal to children of any age. Smetana includes a glossary at the end of the book. Young readers become participants when they search for each character mentioned in the story and the ladybug hidden on each page.

I would suggest this book as a fantastic gift for a reader of any age, including adults. Surely, a memento to be treasured or a valuable tool for a parent to express love for a child.

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win a glorious garden-themed grand prize, including a hardcover copy of My Love for You Is Like a Garden, autographed by Laura Smetana!

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

A cotton tote bag filled with:

-A hardcover copy of My Love for You Is Like a Garden, signed by author & illustrator Laura Smetana

– 4 oz of tea from Adagio Teas

– A bar of Italian rose soap

– Cherry blossom & tea rose hand lotion

– Sunflower & ladybug garden stake

– A 12 piece colored pencil set

– A mini sketchbook with elastic closure band

– 5 blank cards & envelopes featuring art from My Love for You is Like a Garden

Two (2) winners receive:

-A paperback copy of My Love for You Is Like a Garden, signed by author & illustrator Laura Smetana

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

https://gleam.io/V52H1/my-love-for-you-is-like-a-garden-book-giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE

Monday, February 27, 2023The Children’s Book ReviewAuthor Interview with Laura Smetana

Tuesday, February 28, 2023The Fairview ReviewA book review of My Love for You Is Like a Garden

Wednesday, March 1, 2023The Momma SpotA book review of My Love for You Is Like a Garden

Thursday, March 2, 2023Life Is What It’s CalledAuthor Interview with Laura Smetana

Friday, March 3, 2023icefairy’s Treasure ChestA book review of My Love for You Is Like a Garden

Monday, March 6, 2023Lisa’s ReadingA book review of My Love for You Is Like a Garden

Tuesday, March 7, 2023Me Two BooksA book activity to pair with My Love for You Is Like a Garden

Wednesday, March 8, 2023Barbara Ann Mojica’s BlogA book review of My Love for You Is Like a Garden

Thursday, March 9, 2023Confessions of a Book AddictA book giveaway of My Love for You Is Like a Garden

Friday, March 10, 2023Writer with WanderlustA book review of My Love for You Is Like a Garden

Monday, March 13, 2023My Reading GetawayA book review of My Love for You Is Like a Garden

Tuesday, March 14, 2023J.R.s Book ReviewsA book review of My Love for You Is Like a Garden

Wednesday, March 15, 2023Cover Lover Book ReviewA book review of My Love for You Is Like a Garden

Thursday, March 16, 2023Crafty Moms ShareA book review of My Love for You Is Like a Garden

Friday, March 17, 2023Satisfaction for Insatiable ReadersA book review of My Love for You Is Like a Garden

Monday, March 20, 2023JoanasbookshelfA book review of My Love for You Is Like a Garden

The Moth and the Moon

Written by David Kelley

 

This is an intriguing tale that is told in the first person by a newly hatched moth and the friends she makes on the windowsill of a garden shed. Upon opening her eyes, the moth is irresistibly drawn to the light from the moon shining through the window,

Readers follow her development as her friends name her Flutter. She learns quickly from her friends, Horsey the Wasp, her two ladybug friends, and Bumble, the bee. Flutter finds herself in trouble with their arch enemy, Sinister, the Spider. Flutter learns to develop trust and courage that she will one day find her moon.

There are many pitfalls along the way, and some of her friends will be lost to Spider. Will Flutter discover a way to achieve her dream and still retain her bonds with the friends who have nurtured and protected her?

This tale is written clearly and the story flows smoothly. Its length of approximately 100 pages is a bit long for a beginning reader even though the plot sustains interest. I would especially recommend it to middle-grade and young teens, but adults might enjoy it as well.

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THE LADYBUG PRINCESS

Written by Julie Schoen

Illustrated by Marina Veselinovic

Charming early chapter book that relates the tale of a little girl who loves picking flowers, hearing birds sing, and the beauty of nature. Audrey adores her parents and they support her. On a rainy day, Audrey often dresses up in her mothers fancy clothes and jewelry, while pretending that she is a beautiful princess. When Audrey is old enough for school, her mother encourages her to dress as she wishes so Audrey appears at school on her first day dressed as a princess. An older student makes fun of her; Audrey races to the farthest point in the playground to hide. A swarm of ladybugs cover her from head to toe and speak to Audrey. They tell her that beauty does not exist solely in outward appearance like the clothes she wears. Audrey is a beautiful princess because she sees the good in others and expresses her goodness in the love that she shows other people. As long as Audrey loves life and expresses herself in the same way toward others, she will always remain a princess. Audrey learns how to deal with bullies, not to overvalue material things, and the importance of self-esteem.

A few creative illustrations enhance the beauty of the message in this short chapter book that is appropriate for beginning readers in the seven and up age group. Highly recommended for parents and teachers to boost self-confidence.

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