Love

In a companion to Beautiful and Brave, McAnulty describes how love can be expressed through simple, genuine gestures and time spent together, using the prompt, “Love is.” Lew-Vriethoff illustrates a variously diverse group of smiling children and adults. A brown-skinned child with pigtails brings a bowl of food to a dog wearing a cast: “Love is... a fancy dinner.” Elsewhere, two children communicate via sign language from their adjacent balconies (“Love deserves to be shouted from the rooftops”), and a family welcomes an adopted sibling: “Love happens at first sight.” Finally, all of the characters enjoy a festive nighttime gathering, celebrating under the soft glow of string lights. A sweet depiction of the love that connects family and community. Ages 3–up. [em](Dec.) [/em]