Our Love Grows

Our Love Grows by Anna Pignataro (Scholastic Press)

HB RRP $16.99

ISBN 978-1-74362-626-9

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Beautifully soft, in both words and illustration, Our Love Grows is a picture book about growth and the loving bond between mother and child. Every young person will recognise the desire to get bigger as baby panda Pip asks, ‘Mama, when will I be big?’

The affection and love in the mother/child bond is evident as Pip’s mum answers his question in a way that feels like the singing of a lullaby, encouraging him to look out into the world as well as inward toward himself. She introduces the concept of change and growth in a gentle, loving way.

Children love to hear about when they were ‘little’, and love to see how they have grown and changed. This story plants the child firmly within the environment which surrounds them and points out the growth which happens around them as well - trees growing, stars expanding...

The delicate watercolour and pencil illustrations are calm and quiet and the text rhythmical,

   Flowers bloomed and petals fell.

   Pinecones tumbled down, as well.                                  

making it a beautiful bed time read.