Enough Love? is a picture book to celebrate. It’s a picture book to share, and a picture book to make you think.
In Enough Love? we’re introduced to Willa. Willa has one mum, one dad, one home and one bird. And that’s enough.
But when Willa’s parents get divorced, things change. One home becomes two. And when Willa’s dad meets Kevin, one dad becomes two. A little sister arrives, and that’s enough.
At the end, things are very different from where they started. There are more pets and more siblings. There are stepsiblings too.
Enough Love? is a beautiful exploration of family, love and change. It shines a light on a different family that maybe isn’t so different after all. Family is about love, right? And whether your family is two people or ten, if there is love, does it really matter how many mums, dads, pets and siblings are part of it?
What I adore most about this book is that all the meaning I’ve just pulled from it is my own. The book tells the story of a young girl and her changing family — the emotions that come with change. But it in no way hits you over the head with morals or messages.
Author Maggie Hutchings delivers this in all her picture books. The story is the hero, and the meaning is there for the reader to find. If they want to. Hutchings creates little worlds on paper, and you, the reader, get to step into these worlds when you open the covers.
Evie Barrow brings colourful joy to this book with her stunning illustrations. In beautiful hand drawn style, Barrow’s illustrations are filled with details and emotion. They perfectly capture family life, with brooms in the corner of the room, kid art on the fridge and bobby pins on the bathroom sink. All the characters have strong visual personalities, bringing them to life. Simply gorgeous!
If you’re looking for a book to show kids that families come in all shapes and sizes, this is the one. If you’re looking for a book that helps kids navigate change, this is the one. If you’re looking for a book that celebrates love and family, this is the one.
It’s a book for so many occasions, and at the end of the day it’s just really good storytelling.
For more great picture books by Maggie Hutchings, make sure you check out I saw Pete and Pete Saw Me and Your Birthday was the Best. For more delicious illustrations by Evie Barrow, make sure you check out Howl and Horatio Squeak.
Title: Enough Love?
Author: Maggie Hutchings
Illustrator: Evie Barrow
Publisher: Affirm Press, $24.99
Publication Date: 29 June 2021
Format: Hard Cover
ISBN: 9781922400833
For ages: 3 – 6
Type: Picture Book
July 22, 2021 at 12:33PM Shaye Wardrop
