The mother sings to her sleeping baby: "I'll love you forever / I'll love you for always / As long as I'm living / My baby you'll be." She still sings the same song when her baby has turned into a fractious 2-year-old, a slovenly 9-year-old, and then a raucous teen. So far so ordinary--but this is one persistent lady. When her son grows up and leaves home, she takes to driving across town with a ladder on the car roof, climbing through her grown son's window, and rocking the sleeping man in the same way. Then, inevitably, the day comes when she's too old and sick to hold him, and the roles are at last reversed. Each stage is illustrated by one of Sheila McGraw's comic and yet poignant pastels. (Ages 4 to 8) --Richard Farr
A young woman holds her newborn son and looks at him lovingly. Softly she sings to him "I'll love you forever, /I'll like you for always/ As long as I'm living/my baby you'll be".This is the story of how that little boy goes through the stages of childhood and becomes a man.
Customer Reviews:
Every mom with a son needs this book I've been reading this book to my son at bedtime for 3 years (he's 4 now). I've known about it for many years before I became a mother and I get choked up every time I read it to this day. My son actually chooses this one often. He identifies with the boy in the story, and is starting to understand that he's growing like the boy and will eventually become a man with his own family to love and care for. He wants his own son.:) Very sweet and endearing book.
And for those who've labeled the book creepy, and I know which part they're referring to, sadly those folks have missed the most important point of the story: it's a figurative illustration of a literal love that will last no matter how old your son is. I'm certain the author did not mean for the "drive across town" part to be taken literally - give me a break! ...more info
extremely disturbing I just had to throw this book in the trash. I don't think it should be read to any child. It glorifies breaking and entering and intruding upon your child as an adult. It's just disturbing....more info
Crack for narcissistic mothers I will start off by saying that I was skewed against the book before I even read it. (My mother in law is a diagnosed narcissist and she threw a fit during my wedding reception where she cited this book and accused my husband of betraying her because 'he promised her he'd never grow up.')
This book is little more than "narcissistic supply" for needy parents. What child wants to read about his/her mother dying? None. Who wants confirmation that the suffering they've experienced as a result of being a parent isn't all for naught-- that they will be taken care of in their old age in exchange? Parents with low self-esteem/personality disorders.
It is appalling the way the child is continually portrayed as "bad." (Especially humorous is the mother exclaiming that he's driving her crazy. Sorry lady, your own upbringing and internal flaws are what contributed to your obvious personality disorder, not your son behaving like a normal child.) Despite the fact that this child never wanted to take a bath and listens to strange music as a teenager, his mother still manages to love him unconditionally. The book portrays the child negatively and highlights the mother's "suffering." It plays on the guilt of the child and insinuates that he owes his mother the right to climb into his bedroom window when he is a grown man. To say that this is an unhealthy relationship is an understatement.
Please, parents who love this book-- keep it for yourself. Don't subject your children to this. On the surface it may appear very benign and cute, but please look at the messages you are really sending your children with this one.
Boring! This book is neither entertaining, nor fun, but a sentimental pile ($*&!. Don't waste your time. I hate reading it to my kids.
I also hate the cover, because I sends the message that no matter what your kids do we will always love them. Not that I won't but I don't want to encourage bad behavior like flushing watches down the toilet....more info
Sweet intentions, don't agree with how it unfolds We received this book as a baby shower gift for our son, who is now 6. I distinctly remember sitting down to read this book to him when he was just an infant. It is sweet to staart, but as I went along through both son and mother getting older, I could see where it was headed...and it wasn't somewhere I wanted to go. It was creepy enough when the mom picks up the teenage son at night, but when she puts a ladder on top of her car and drives across town to crawl in his window to "hold" him? Too much! And I get that it's a fact of life that mothers die at some point, but I really don't want that as part of a book for my infant/toddler child. I know others see this as a "must-have" book, but I'd say it's a "must stay away" book instead....more info
Great book for Mama's Boys and Helicopter Parents If you've gotten this far into the review stream, you've gotten a good sense for the factors that make this book one of the creepiest stories ever told. I read this around campfires just to scare children and adults alike.
I say it's not just creepy, though.
I say this book is solely responsible for an entire generation of helicopter parents and mama's boys. I watched my step-mother read this to my half-brother, who is 13 now. And still to this day, before he goes to bed, they repeat the tagline for this book, "Love you forever, like you for always, as long as I'm living, my baby you'll be." And this kid can't even cross the street without having her there.
If you've seen Chinatown, you will know what I'm about to say. We see the mom climb in the window (reminds me of Norman Bates in Psycho) and put the son on her lap. The son is grown, although he didn't even go to college. Great job parenting. Or they didn't show the college scene, because when she crawled into the dorm, she was arrested.
Anyway, she crawls into the son's bed, and puts him on her lap, and the next page, suddenly, there's a baby. We have no idea where the baby came from. We've never met the wife, and the son is not wearing a wedding ring. But I think we all know that she is the baby's grandmother and mother! Just like Chinatown with Jack Nicholson.
Call me weird. Heck, call me creepy, but mothers do not drive across town with ladders on their roofs and climb into their child's home.
And people who are close to death shouldn't be hoisted out of their wheel chairs onto other people's laps. It's not safe for them.
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If you mother like this, seek counseling. My mother-in-law gave this book to us. I recently read The Mom Factor by Dr. Cloud and Dr. Townsend. If you treat your child like this, read their chapter on the "American Express Mother." (She won't let you leave home without her.) I know my mother-in-law means well, but it's important to let your kids grow up even though it will mean some failures on their part. Failure is okay. We learn from it.
Do not mother like this book suggests! I found the book to be creepy and weird. My husband agreed.
I cut out the sweet pictures from the book (mom holding baby, son holding new baby, and son holding mom) and had them framed for a beautiful picture for my mother-in-law. I think the picture turned out great, and I don't mind that it's going to make her all teary-eyed. Even I don't mind the picture now. It does show how tender love from a mother can help a son learn how to parent his own children.
The disturbing pictures are just too weird though! They were thrown into the trash. (Who sneaks into their grown son's room at night?)
Personally, I did not like that there isn't a wife pictured in the book, and the son is not wearing a wedding ring either! It's clear the mom has not moved on. She wants to have an unnatural influence on his entire adult life. She needs to get her own life! Even the pictures on her bedroom wall indicate she has no life outside of his! WEIRD!...more info
A Beautiful Story I first purchased this book when I taught Kindergarten about 16 years ago. I cried while reading it during story time, and I have cried each and every time I have read it since. I just love the story. I gave my son a copy of this book for his 21st birthday. It saddens me some of the mean spirited comments I have read about this book on Amazon. I don't think there was anything wrong with the mother in the story. I hope when my life is at an end, that my son will still love me enough to take me in his arms and sing to me. Buy this book, it's Beautiful!...more info
My favorite book My first baby is about to have his first baby, as long as I'm living my baby he'll be. I just ordered him his own copy, since I still have his original, that I read many times to him and his brothers. I still cry everytime I read it... I think it is absolutely beautiful and sweet.
A Mother's love is for forever and always. ...more info
A great read for adults caring for a parent I sent this book to a friend who has been caring for her mother, aged 98.
She enjoyed it, and shared with her brother, saying it meant more to them as adults....more info
a new classic I bought this to donate to a local charity for their raffle and I think it is appropriate for any child!!...more info
I'm glad my parents give me my privacy As someone who loves both her parents very much, I agree with the people who find this book to be rather far-fetched. I would find it very disturbing if my parents were to drive across town and climb through my window at night. Fortunately, they prefer to use the door when they visit and they would never do so at some ungodly hour when I'm trying to sleep.
Something I found really odd was that the grown man at the end of the book ended up with a baby of his own. Although his wife was never mentioned I can only assume that he had one, yet I had a lot of trouble believing that someone like him would ever get around to marrying and having children. Besides the fact that he was such a Mama's Boy, I doubt any woman would stick with him for very long once she found out that his mother was liable to show up at ANY time and ALWAYS at night. Ick!
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Love You Forever Review I've loved this book since I was a child. It's about a mother's unconditional love for her son. The son grows older and gets into trouble, but the mother's love never wavers. Some people think it's corny the way the mother still treats the man as though he were a baby, but I think it's sweet. This book makes me want to cry every time I read it!...more info
Buy It for a New Baby This book is wonderful because it shows the mother's enduring love for a son her entire life....more info
good book....might be a bit much for young kids someone got us this book as a gift for our second child we are expecting in December. my Son who is 6 wanted to read it before bed. about halfway thru the book i wanted to stop reading it as i felt it was a little Morbid but i finished the book,(saying to myself that was the first and last time) sent my little one to bed. he called me in about 3 minutes later scared and crying saying he was going to die and he wouldn't see grammy and grampie anymore...what made him think of something like that and he said he didn't know, but he has never thought of things like that before and he generally watched age appropriate TV shows... i truly think the book made him think of that... great touching books for mom's....not so good for kids.... lets just say i like to keep happy thoughts in my child's head before he goes to sleep and in general....more info
Greatest children's Book I've Read I'd seen this book in softcover many times but never in hardback. This is the most touching and wonderful book I have ever read in children's books. I have 2 small girls and we have read it many times. I made a song from the part - I Love You For Ever. The girls sing - You'll be my Mommy until the end of time! TOUCHING!! Thank You for the Hardcover Gift Book in larger size and brighter pictures! We love it!...more info
Book Buys I am thrilled with my purchase. The book was used but in excelent condition! Thanx Amazon!...more info
need to be a parent to appreciate it Love you forever is a good book but you have to be a mother or father with children of your own to really appreciate it. Since I am not married and do not haved children it's not one of my favorite reads. Most parents who I know, however, love it and start crying while they are in the process of reading the book. I highly suggest buying it if you are or are soon to be a parent or you know someone who is. If you aren't a parent then you need to read the book first and judge for yourself....more info
Awesome Book Love you Forever is a remarkable book that tugs at your heart. Great book to read with your loved one. Really shows the ever lasting love between a Mother and a child. ...more info
Love You Forever If you would like to open and touch the heart strings of women and men who have read this book to their children and weep joyfully when they read this book again...this is the book to give at every baby shower, special occasion, and even a life celebration prior to dying. This is a book that is lasting...from generation to generation.
Simple. Easy to read. The message is pure love....more info
five stars for an adult, none for a child= three stars I agree with much of what everyone else wrote. It is beautiful and reduced me to hiccuping tears, which is exactly why I didn't read it to my child. I will give it to her when she is old enough to get it and not obsess that I will be getting old and dying someday.
I wasn't bothered by the "creepy" scene that one reviewer related. I didn't really take that literally, but more figuratively to show the mother's love not abating with time. I know that I will never ever lose the desire to hold and caress my child, no matter how big she gets. I didn't take it as the author suggesting that a mother would sneak into her grown child's home, because she'd failed to cut the apron strings. What normal adult man would allow that? lol!
I think this book does a great job of showing the painful and consuming love that a parent has for her child, and the sweetness of a child's love in return. Maybe the subtle message is that the love we give to our children comes back to us.
I still think it is way too heavy for a child, but I love it for myself. ...more info
Heartwarming Story! This is a great book, one that you will read aloud over and over to your children (hopefully while you are rocking them!) It is timeless, and crosses all generations. I highly recommend it as a gift to all expectant and new parents!...more info
Ms.Wray This was my childrens favorite book, a must have for new parents.I gave a copy to my daughter to read to my new grandaughter for Christmas, and she got tears in her eyes. It's one you never forget!...more info
Great book My mother and I read this book to my brother years ago from ages 1 1/2 until 5. I cried the first time I read it to my son. Amazing story, beautiful words. It's a must have for children...more info
Creepy to say the least, do not buy This book made the hackles on my neck stand straight up. Absolutely creepy and odd. It is one thing to rock your sleeping baby, quite another to sneak in your grown sons house (with a ladder no less), and rock him in his bed. This book shows the exact opposite of how to be a healthy parent. Cut the creepy apron strings. DO NOT BUY !!!...more info
Love You Forever This book was a sweet story about the love of a mother. It shows the never ending, unconditional love that a mother has for her child. I recommend this book to read to your own children. It has been passed down a few generations now and it is a beautiful story. I really enjoyed the quick and easy read and special content. ...more info
Love You Forever My son received this book when he was a newborn in 1994 and I just love the story! It always made me cry. When he got older I would sing the song to him and he was very fond of it. I read it to my daycare kids and they requested it often. When a friend had a baby shower we were asked to bring a baby book in lieu of a card, and I knew immediately which one I wanted. I went looking for it every where and couldn't find it. I was so disappointed, but then remembered Amazon.com. I logged in and sure enough, they had it! I was thrilled and I know they are going to love it....more info
WOW We were given this book by two different friends (both parents of boys). I actually thought it was some kind of wierd joke the first time I read it. It is sweet in an odd way, but way to creepy. It's worth a read (at the library), for a good laugh....more info
A tear jerker This is a book that my mom has read to me and I really enjoyed. It displays the feeling of a mother for her child and that the love she has for him carries out throughout his life. Love is continuous as a parent and if you are a parent this book will pull at your heart strings. ...more info
Hate to have to give it even one star... Maybe a million Elvis fans can't be wrong but a million "Love You Forever" fans certainly can be.
...disturbing parts in this story, spend your $10 on a myriad of better childrens books......more info
My boys still remember this story! This is such a great book to read to your boy (or girl) over and over. My sister bought it for me when I had baby boys and I bought this copy for a friend who just had a baby boy. I would read this to my boys and actually sing the part that of the story that could be interpreted as a singing phrase. My boys still remember that to this day. They are in high school and college now. Very touching story. ...more info
Love the book Love You Forever is one of my favorite books.
Try to read it out loud without crying. No matter
how many times I read it, I cry. It is beautiful....more info
I LOVE IT !!!! I LOVED the price, I LOVED how fast it came in the mail and I LOVE this book....more info
Awesone book! This is a great book for anyone who has a mom or is a mom. It makes me cry everytime I read it. Great gift for baby showers. ...more info
Sweet and beautiful a picture books about the love between mother and child. I found it a bit strange, when she went through his window to rock eventhough he was a grown man, but it fitted in with the rest of the story.
The ending was beautiful...more info
Traumatizing book as a child Like many of the others, I found this book to be very unsettling as a child. Especially the image of an old person crawling in the window... I didn't like this book and I still dont...more info
This was my favorite book!! When I was little my mom read this book to me,then both of my brothers. Now that I am an adult, I purchased it for my soon to be godchild! I know she will love it just like I did! It is still a favorite of mine :) I also still know the song that mommy sings to her "baby".. ...more info
A heartfelt bedtime story Love You Forever is a bedtime story that any child will enjoy. It follows a very loving and caring mother who sneaks into her sons room first as a infant, as a toddler, nine years old, as a teenager, and although he no longer lives in the same house as a grown man. When she comes into the room at night she rocks him back and forth and sings; "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be. She does this until she becomes an old woman, and her son returns the message to her, as well as his very own newborn daughter. Every picture shows the story line, and a child will soon catch the obvious animal that lurks on each page. This story is bound to bring togetherness for the family at bedtime. ...more info
Life's a circle This book is a simple and poignant story that every mother should possess. Life is a circle and you get back what you give. You will find yourself in tears by the end of the story. I read it to my children when they were little (20 years ago) and now I give this book to all new moms I know.
I recommend this book without hesitation!...more info
Love You Forever What a beautiful book for a little boy. I bought it for my daughter to read to my grandson....more info
Nice little story This is a nice short story of a mother's love. I do like how her love is unconditional throughout the story. Though it's a little creepy that she sneaks into her son's house while he is sleeping. That's a bit stalkerish....more info
I was just reminded of this book...and how much it scared me as a child I always remember reading this as a child and thinking something was off about it. it just gave me this unsettling feeling. i was probably 4 years old and i knew that this was a creepy book that didn't depict normal maternal behavior. actually, i thought the creepiest part was the illustrations. something about them...i can't put my finger on it...it just unnerves me....more info
A tear jerker This is a book that my mom has read to me and I really enjoyed. It displays the feeling of a mother for her child and that the love she has for him carries out throughout his life. Love is continuous as a parent and if you are a parent this book will pull at your heart strings. ...more info
A touching book I gave this book to my son when he turned forty. He called me and told me how much it meant to him and how it made him cry. My son is a 6'3 Army Ranger Instructor and very few things have made him cry., trust me. I heard this book the first time when in church, our preacher pulled up a rocking chair on Mother's day and read it to us. I knew I had to have it. I hope all of you who read it are touched by a mothers love.
Susie...more info
A great baby gift This book is both moving and commical as it moves you through the life of a small baby boy into his life as a father, and the dedication of his mother's love throughout his lifetime. I've read this story so many times that I nearly have it memorized! I have even read this story aloud at baby showers and it has moved the room to tears! This is an excellent book to give at a baby shower in place of a card! This is hands down my most favorite children's book!...more info
Adults Love This Book Adults seem to love this book, it's very sentimental, but there are better children's books out there. I would recommend this more for adults: adult children moving out on their own, new parents, or maybe new grandparents. There is little in this story about a mother watching her son grow up, move out and start a family of his own that a child can relate to. In the end the son, who is now a father, says goodbye to his mother and takes on the role of the caring parent for his own child. ...more info
All I Can Say Is I Loved It Out of morbid curiousity, I read some of the 'one star' reviews for this book. I was, honestly, shocked. My mother used to read this book (among many others) to me and my three siblings growing up. All four of us remember it lovingly and tenderly. It has such a sweet, moving story line. Some reviewers said it was 'creepy' that the mother came into the child's bedroom at night to watch him sleep. Well, if that's creepy, there is something wrong with me, because I love to watch my daughter sleep. It's so peaceful and it helps me remember after a hectic day what a precious gift I have. Anyway, the book has cute illistrations, humorous antics from the little boy in the story, and a feeling of sincere warmth and love surrounding the whole thing. I personally plan to get it for my little one when she is a little older (she's only an infant now). ...more info
Weird I agree, this is the weirdest book I've ever read. My lesson learned is never read a book to other kids before you read it. I thought the crawling on the floor was WEIRD, the picking him up even at 9---WEIRD, the teenage part WEIRDER and when I got to the page with the ladder on the car I stopped reading, read it to myself and then proceeded by skipping those pages to the end where he's with his own daughter. This book is just WEIRD and not appropriate!...more info
Love You, Forever Even though this book may bring tears to my eyes, it reminds me of my own Mother who died of cancer and can no longer hug me for comfort nor encourage me when things go wrong. I miss her dearly and this book reminds me of her love for us kids.
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Beautiful, touching story of the unconditional enduring love parents and children have for one another. The first time I ever experienced this book was when I heard this story read aloud by a storyteller at a children's event. I wept openly and freely and was moved by its beauty. It's really just so lovely and beautiful. I bought it to read to my child and was surprised by the negative reviews here. Most seem to be from people who read the book literally and do not understand it. Many great books, even the greatest book, can be sadly misunderstood and disturbingly interpreted when read that way. This book is no exception. It is not meant to be understood literally. It's a fable, not a true story. It's not the story of an obsessive smothering mother who REALLY climbs into her grown son's home to rock him to sleep at night. It's about how the love a parent has for her child endures. How the love and rocking and comforting we give our children endures and stays with them giving them strength and comfort and security throughout their lives. And it's about the cycle of life and how as we age we all go from loved and cared for to lover and caregiver to loved and cared for again as we age. This book is not for every parent nor every child. It's special. It's not a homogenized, inoffensive, safe book of bunny hugs, rainbows, puppies and moonbeams. This is not that book. If you want that book get Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney. Love You Forever is quirky. It may not be appropriate for every parent or for every child. Read it. If you love it, buy it and share it with your child. But be aware that while some children will find it merely silly and sweet, others may find it brings up anxieties about death, dying and loss. Your mileage may vary with this one. Mine did. I love this book, but it's not for everyone. Talk to your child frankly and lovingly about the issues this book raises and it will become a much beloved book as they grow....more info
Love You Forever This is excellent book to give to new or expectant mother of a son. I still have my orignal copy and my "baby" is 24. A fun heart-tugging book.
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Haunting and Emotionally Touching Story! I have not read a children's book in many years. My only child is nearly 24 now, but there is a book that my wife read to him as a toddler often called Love You Forever written by Robert Munsch and Illustrated by Sheila McGraw. To date, my wife and son often share a short poem in that book: I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, As long as I'm living my baby (or Mother) you'll be.
I had long forgotten where that passage came from, but it has always been appropriate and I began saying or thinking it to my son or in silence, especially when dealing with a crisis or at times that we differ in opinion or when he says or does something that I let make me feel bad or no longer needed.
My niece and her husband are expecting a little girl next month. My wife and I took great pleasure shopping for a gift that would have meaning for them. My wife remembered this book and I purchased it from AMAZON.com. Like the first time that my wife read it to my son, the tears flowed freely in remembrance of how much we loved him then and how much that we love him now.
This book is about the unbreakable lifelong bond between parents and their children. It reminds us that the love given to them will be received in turn and passed on to the next generation. Love You Forever touched me then and always will. It is a loving book for new parents and children. Read it, but be aware it will bring tears to your eyes.
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Crack for narcissistic mothers I will start off by saying that I was skewed against the book before I even read it. (My mother in law is a diagnosed narcissist and she threw a fit during my wedding reception where she cited this book and accused my husband of betraying her because 'he promised her he'd never grow up.')
This book is little more than "narcissistic supply" for needy parents. What child wants to read about his/her mother dying? None. Who wants confirmation that the suffering they've experienced as a result of being a parent isn't all for naught-- that they will be taken care of in their old age in exchange? Parents with low self-esteem/personality disorders.
It is appalling the way the child is continually portrayed as "bad." (Especially humorous is the mother exclaiming that he's driving her crazy. Sorry lady, your own upbringing and internal flaws are what contributed to your obvious personality disorder, not your son behaving like a normal child.) Despite the fact that this child never wanted to take a bath and listens to strange music as a teenager, his mother still manages to love him unconditionally. The book portrays the child negatively and highlights the mother's "suffering." It plays on the guilt of the child and insinuates that he owes his mother the right to climb into his bedroom window when he is a grown man. To say that this is an unhealthy relationship is an understatement.
Please, parents who love this book-- keep it for yourself. Don't subject your children to this. On the surface it may appear very benign and cute, but please look at the messages you are really sending your children with this one.
fantastic ! This book is a must have for all parents. It is very heart felt. ...more info
A Beautiful Story I first purchased this book when I taught Kindergarten about 16 years ago. I cried while reading it during story time, and I have cried each and every time I have read it since. I just love the story. I gave my son a copy of this book for his 21st birthday. It saddens me some of the mean spirited comments I have read about this book on Amazon. I don't think there was anything wrong with the mother in the story. I hope when my life is at an end, that my son will still love me enough to take me in his arms and sing to me. Buy this book, it's Beautiful!...more info
