Today’s book is: “I Love You the Purplest” by By: Barbara Joossee, Mary Whyte (Illustrator)
A moving book that answers the universal question “Who do you love best?” In the spirit of true, unconditional parental love, mama explains that she loves each of her children in their own special way. The Jubilant Max she loves the “reddest” and the quiet Julian she loves the “bluest.” Together she loves her boys the “purplest.”
A celebration of both parental love and of the unique qualities that make every child an individual, the warm illustrations coupled with an eloquent text speak to any child, parent, or sibling.
Hello little listeners and welcome to another episode.
Today I have a book called I Love You The Purplest.
This book is by Barbara M Ducey illustrated by Mary White.
I'm not sure if you've ever been asked the question by your children
about who you love the most but if you have this book has the answer
in the most poetic and thoughtful way. Let's take a look.
Early in the evening the brothers and their mama
finished supper in the sturdy red cabin and set out to fish.
The lake slowed its thrashing to a soft even beat.
The mosquitoes dipped low to the water and the water bugs skidded on top.
The moon glowed on one side of the lake while the sun
shimmered on the other. This was the time when fishing was best.
Max exploded from the cabin twirling the shovel in front of him.
Mama came next and then Julian. Julian shut the cabin door tightly
to keep it safe from burglars and bears.
Julian scooped the dirt to find the fattest worms.
Max jumped on the shovel and flung dirt in the air
until a tangle of worms filled his can.
Mama, who has the most worms? He asked.
Mama smiled. Max, your can is full of the liveliest worms
and Julian, your can has the juiciest. Max, Julian and Mama stepped into the
small wooden boat. Julian took one oar and Max took the
other. Julian planted his blue boots wide and
took deep even strokes. Max braced his red
boots against the ribs of the boat and stroked quickly through the water.
The brothers' faces were hot and they gulped at the air.
Julian gasped. Mama, who's the best rower?
Mama's eyes grew soft. Why Julian, you took the deepest strokes
and Max, your strokes were fastest. The three fished until the stars
sprinkled the sky and water turned dark at night. In the
end, Mama caught one fish, Julian caught one fish
and Max caught three. I'm the best fisherman, cried Max,
hoisting his fish in the air. Julian pushed his hat brim low on his face.
Three fish, what a bountiful fisherman you are, said Mama.
And Julian, you're the cleverest. Your fish hid in the weeds
but you waited. When your bobber jerked in the water,
you kept your pole high and you reeled in a fine fat
fish. Then the fishing and the baths and the stories were done.
Mama tucked the brothers into bed. Julian slept in the top bunk
and she reached up to kiss him goodnight. Mama whispered Julian,
his hands forming a tunnel around her ear. Who do you love best?
Mama thought for a minute and then she whispered.
Why Julian, I love you the bluest. I love you the colour of a dragonfly
at the tip of its wing. I love you the colour of a cave
in its deepest hidden part where grizzly bears
and bats curl up until night. The mist of a mountain,
the splash of a waterfall, the hush of a whisper.
The breath in Julian's chest grew and grew and grew
until he couldn't hold it any longer. Then it came out in a long
velvety sigh. Mama crouched low to the bunk
where Max slept. Max wriggled his finger for Mama to come close.
He whispered, Mama, who do you love best?
Why Max, I love you the reddest. I love you the colour of the sky
before it blazes into night. I love you the colour of a leopard's eyes
when it prowls through the jungle and the colour of a campfire
at the edge of the flame. A wide open hug,
the swirl of a magic cape, the thunder of a shout.
The smile on Max's face grew and grew until his cheeks couldn't hold it in.
Then it came out in a big thundery laugh.
Later in the evening, the brothers and their Mama slept.
One in the top bunk, glowing like the evening moon.
One in the bottom bunk, shimmering like the evening sun.
And Mama in the big bed, dreaming of the boys she loved best.
I love you the purplest. So I want to know if any of you
listeners out there or mothers or fathers have had any creative ways
of how you've had to deal with sibling rivalry in the past.
And if you have, just leave them in the comments.
I'd love to have a read. Thank you and I'll see you next week.
