Two Books Full Of Love (My View Book Review)

Title: Like So

Author: Ruth Forman

Illustrator: Raissa Figueroa

Publisher/Year: Little Simon/2024

Topic/Theme: family, grandparent/grandchild relationships, nature appreciation, love

Of Note: Gorgeous, dreamy illustrations

Title: Same Love, Different Hug

Author: Sarah Hovorka

Illustrator: Abbey Bryant

Publisher/Year: Clarion Books/2023

Topic/Theme: family, friendship, personal space/boundaries, love

Of Note: Fun, bouncy rhymes


Both of these lovely picture books are gentle and poetic but in different ways. And both would make excellent gifts, perfect to share with little readers.

Like So follows a grandmother and grandchild as they spend time together indoors and out throughout the seasons. They pick berries, cook, walk through the forest, build a snowman, and gaze at the stars together. The text is lyrical and simple: I kiss you like so. You kiss me like so. I hug you like so. You hug me like so. We got love…like so. The vivid illustrations are absolutely spectacular and the real star of the book.

Image from Like So/copyright © 2024 by Ruth Forman and Raissa Figueroa

Summary from the jacket flap: A tribute to the powerful bond of love shared by families, especially between grands and grandchildren, Like So shines with a love as natural and connected as the world around us.


Same Love, Different Hug follows a child who loves to hug but wonders what other people like and sets off to discover the answer from their family and friends. The digitally created illustrations are cheery and energetic and feature a cast of diverse kids and adults. Readers will delight in the text, which features internal and end rhymes, and flows at a nice pace: On these days, Daddy likes a sag, droop, need-a-group hug.

Image from Same Love, Different Hug/copyright © 2023 by Sarah Hovorka and Abbey Bryant

Summary from the jacket flap: Same Love, Different Hug is a gentle picture book that looks at how different people connect and navigate boundaries, modeling social-emotional skills for the youngest among us.

Happy Book Birthday to TRUCKER AND TRAIN by Hannah Stark!

  • Title: TRUCKER AND TRAIN
  • Author: Hannah Stark
  • Illustrator: Bob Kolar
  • Publisher: Clarion Books/Houghton Mifflin
  • Release Date: August 6, 2019
  • Format: Hardcover
  • Summary: Trucker, the big rig, loves to rule the road with his size, strength, and mighty horn. The other vehicles swerve and shake as Trucker blasts past, expecting them to follow along in awe. Then Trucker meets the louder, stronger, and kinder Train. He sees how the other vehicles gleam and swoon when Train is around. And he wonders, Why don’t they ever gleam at me?Trucker just wants Train to go away . . . until a broken railroad crossing signal changes everything. Can Trucker use his size and strength for the good of his fellow vehicles before it’s too late?
  • Author’s Site: www.hannahcarinastark.com

Do you have a children’s picture book coming out soon? I’d love to wish it a Happy Book Birthday here on Frog on a Blog! CLICK for more information.