The seed for Guess How Much I Love Youwas planted during a conversation between Sam M cBratney and his editor Caroline Royds, at Walker Books. Sam explains how it all began... UPDATE: Unfortunately, my daughter has not liked this book as much as I did. She is three now and I think it's actually too sentimental for her! (Darn it. lol) The illustrations are still appealing to me as a grown up but I see her drawn more to vivid colors. This is a beautifully sweet book for baby. It has sweet little bunny pictures of papa and baby bunny, and it beautifully expresses a parent's love for their child. I've seen this book around, and my mom had bought it for my nephews a few years ago. I knew I had to add it to the library of books for my daughter. I've even given this as a gift to friends. For children anxious about being loved, I can't think of a better story to illustrate how limitless their parents' love really is. No matter how much you love me, Big is saying, I love you that much and more. A comforting message, and one that Little can sleep on. The perfect bedtime story for sleepy little ones. Sam McBratney’s soft, repetitive text is reminiscent of classic tales by Margaret Wise Brown (Goodnight Moon, The Runaway Bunny). . . . Anita Jeram’s watercolor renderings of this endearing pair add sweet humor to a finely crafted book.

First: yes, in the beginning is the word. The words are simple, direct, and true. The words came first. An endearing nursery game is beautifully revitalized in this comforting, sleepy-time picture book. . . . There’s not a wrong note in this tender tale, which should become an endearing bedtime favorite — right up there with Goodnight Moon. Sam attributes the success of Guess How Much I Love Youto four things that came together in the creation of the book. He explains:I was browsing through the children's department of my favorite local bookstore, looking for a gift, when this title caught my eye. I settled down on the floor for a read, and fell in love. Secondly, the drawings. There’s a gangly awkwardness, a boneyness, about hares, that Anita Jeram has captured, and with such a lovely soft palette. She has also perfectly caught throughout the intimacy between a big one and a wee one. What she was saying was what I later came to believe: it’s as difficult to write a fine picture book, one that stands out from the crowd, as it is to write a fine novel. I've loved this book since I first saw it 10 years ago and now that I'm pregnant I bought it for my daughter. Other reviewers have also criticized the illustrations as being boring, but I like the illustrations, myself. Maybe my child won't like this book as much as I do? Well, I'm going to at least give her the opportunity to find out.