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Can you say ‘I love you’ too much?
Of Love and Pies follows a narrator asking the question, ‘can you say I love you, too much’, by representing the phrase with pies. What was the inspiration for your story?
In answer to the first part of your question… Can you say ‘I love you’ too much? If you live in a place where saying I love you means being inundated with pies, then perhaps you can say I love you too much, but in the real world, there’s no limit on saying ‘I love you’. In fact, I highly encourage it!
What was my inspiration?… I was toying with the idea of writing a book in the nonsense genre of Dr Seuss and Edward lear, albeit in a modern way. At the core of this form of writing is generally a concept. I pondered several forms of a rhyming/story/concept about love, but where to start with such an enormous topic, and how to give it a humorous slant? I started exploring actions and reactions. Say I love you (the action) makes for lots of pies (the reaction). It’s silly and fun… besides there can never be too many books about love (or pies).
Then came the illustrations. For decades my art in the book “Love You Forever” has been reducing readers to tears with its message of love that crosses generations. Love You Forever’s soft illustrations were ideal for that book. Of Love and Pies needed something livelier, funnier, and punchier, and I dug in with ink and watercolor paintings that reflect the wild and humorous intent of the text.
What is one thing that people point out after reading your book that surprises you?
Many point out that the frequency of saying I love You has changed over recent generations. Many say they never heard the sentiment as a child but they say it often with their own children, parents, and friends.
What were some of your inspirations as a writer?
I give thanks to the masters of nonsense rhyming verse: Edward Lear, Lewis Carroll, Edward Gorey, Dr. Seuss, and Spike Milligan. Oh, and there’s House of Pies, a restaurant in Houston not far from where I live in Galveston County. The greatest selection of delicious pies ever!
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I currently have two children’s books in the pipeline; a middle-grade adventure book set in New York City, and a graphic novel. Hopefully, both will be out within a year.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Of Love and Pies by Sheila McGraw is a delightful and engaging children’s book that asks the question, Can you say “I love you” too much? What would happen if you said “I love you,” “every minute or two?” And what would happen if every time you said, “I love you,” multiple pies were baked? Would the streets be overrun with pies? Would pie suddenly become less special? Would there be so many pies that even a giant couldn’t eat them all? What should you do? McGraw provides a wonderful story-poem to answer that question, accompanied by her own colorful illustrations.
Of Love and Pies will keep children and their parents laughing and entertained. Lively and imaginative, this captivating story-poem and the talented Sheila McGraw’s own whimsical illustrations make for a joyful read. This book describes and illustrates vivid scenarios where there are so many pies everywhere that they are literally underfoot. The characters are colorful and magically drawn. The picture of the pies reaching up to the moon is fantastically delightful. The problem is made apparent, and then a creative and heartwarming solution is offered. Does this mean you have to stop saying “I love you?” Of Love and Pies is a great story for parents to read to their kids. It will not only entertain but will also help teach problem-solving skills to children. This charming book would be a great bedtime read for parents and children, and is sure to end with “I love you.” —Bonnie DeMoss, Readers’ Favorite,
Of Love and Pies
Of Love and Pies is an engaging picture book written and illustrated by Sheila McGraw. The narrator suggests that every time she says I love you a baker will bake three or five pies. It starts out with pies for breakfast lunch and dinner. Everyone loves having pie whenever they want. Soon there are more pies than anyone, even a giant the size of a mountain, can eat. There are pies all the way to the moon! Pies start making messes that can’t be cleaned, and unwanted guests of bugs and rats show up. This creates a problem of too many pies and the question, can you say I love you too much?
As the author and illustrator, Sheila McGraw has created an astonishing children’s book that provides a visual representation of love in a whimsical way that will grasp children’s attention. The awe-inspiring illustrations will delight young readers, as McGraw has made sure to include representation of multi-cultural families. Understanding I love you can be a challenging concept for toddlers and small children. What is love? This visual of pies make it a tangible idea.
Unlike many children’s books that can grow repetitive reading or overly simple illustrations, this children’s book will delight the parents and caregivers reading this enchanting story. As the story continues, people realize that there is such a thing as too many pies; and if you live where saying I Love you makes heaps of pies, you’ll need to cut back on saying I love you. The narrator must come up with a compromise that works for the town, has fewer pies, and still feels right to them. It validates the storyteller’s emotions and provides a solution for everyone.
Of Love and Pies is a magical picture book intended for toddlers and young children. However, the artwork and exciting story that has not been oversimplified will make it enjoyable for adults to read.
Pages: 34 | ASIN : B092SXNGYY
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