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Love You Forever
Last updated Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Author: Robert Munsch
Illustrator: Sheila McGraw
Date of Publication: 1989
ISBN: 0920668364
Grade Level: 1st (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: May 2005
Synopsis:
The mother sings to her sleeping baby: "I'll love you forever / I'll like 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.
| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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Looking at the cover, what do you think that this book is about? What do you think the mother of this boy is thinking right now?
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Who do you love?
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Do you drive your parents crazy sometimes? Do they drive you crazy? Do you love them anyway?
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When you are at school do you ever think about your family? What do you think about? Do you think they think about you?
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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Have the kids repeat the refrain with you. What is the Mom saying to her son?
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Ask if the students know what syllables are. Have them clap out the syllables in the refrain.
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Do your parents sing to you? What songs do they sing?
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How did the mother?s love help him as he grew up?
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| Craft ideas: |
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Make a mobile like the one on the last page of the book, with pictures of you and your family.
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Draw a portrait of your family today, and on the back of the paper, a portrait of your family when you are all grown up. What are your clothes like? What pets do you have? What is your hair like?
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| Special activities: |
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Teach the other children a song your family likes to sing. Examples: Michael row your boat ashore; the farmer in the dell.
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*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions.
You can use them, but you don't have to use them.
You can expand upon them, or add your own twist.
Remember, though, that the focus of your time should
not be on the development and execution of a craft;
the focus should be on the read-aloud and the
enjoyment of the book!
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