Love is:
Like a bright butterfly in the Sun,
Like warm toes by the fire,
Like buttered toast,
Like a soft rabbit,
Like cuddles,
Like my Granny.

Maisie and Dave, the penguins who panic when they're separated for the first time; ("Love is missing you when you're not there"); The Selfish Giant who is destined to live forever in winter when he stops children playing in his garden, but allows Spring in when he relents; ("Love is learning to give"); the football-mad Princess who gives a new take on the Princess and the Frog tradition; ("Love doesn't mind if you're a frog or a prince") … all the stories are calculated to show one of the many facets of love.

With each story followed by a little motto encased in a big, red heart, the central message is clear, strong and squarely aimed at young emotions. But feelings are not spared and realistic caveats ("Love hurts"; "Love mends when you fall apart") will give children who know the hard, as well as soft, sides of caring the hope and confidence to realise that good days do follow bad, if only you're patient enough to wait.

Simple and accessible in style and presentation, Give a Little Love is, nonetheless, sophisticated in its message: love is complex, multi-faceted and can sometimes hurt. But it is also colourful, playful, happy and fulfilling. And, most of all, you've got to have one side to have the other. Angie Sage's wise, supportive take on love is all you need to get your child started on one of the most complex issues he or she will have to face. But more than that, it's great fun. (Ages seven and up.) --Lucie Naylor