I Believe in You

by Elias Barks, George Bletsis (Illustrator)

Overview

★"Improbably special.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ 2021 Moonbeam Award: Best Board Book

★ 2021 Next Generation Indie Book Award Finalist

A Loch Ness Monster parent reassures their child that they believe in them—no matter who else may have their doubts.

Set in a magical imagining of the Scotland’s Loch Ness, I Believe in You is an ode to a loving adult’s unconditional acceptance of their young one. Featuring appearances from unbelievably fun paranormal characters including a unicorn, grey alien, Sasquatch and ghost, I Believe in You is a fun and heartwarming celebration of the unwavering bond—and belief—shared between a parent or guardian and their child.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781948931175
Publisher:	Hazy Dell Press
Publication date:	12/29/2020
Series:	Hazy Dell Love & Nurture Books , #2
Pages:	20
Product dimensions:	8.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)
Lexile:	480L (what's this?)
Age Range:	1 - 6 Years

About the Author

Elias Barks is a writer who lives with his cats, Agnes and Magnus, beneath the gray skies of Astoria, Oregon. He is the author of Alien Baby!, Pumpkin Baby! and I'm Programmed to Love You.

George Bletsis is an illustrator living and working in Southern England. With drawing obsessions including bugs, exotic places, and unusual characters, George spends his time producing art for film, TV, and video games.

Editorial Reviews

*"…[I]mprobably special, offering an opportunity to bask in the bond between caregiver and child. Hearing the titular phrase, ‘I believe in you,’ repeated between parent and child sea serpents as they swim around Loch Ness is endearing and clever…Lovely, sweet, and warmly offbeat.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

2021 Moonbeam Award: Best Board Book

From the Publisher

★ 2021-01-27
Playful cryptids model unconditional love and acceptance for the board-book set.

Gorgeous colors, tones, and textures combine with an off-kilter cast and conceit to lend charm to what could easily feel maudlin. Rhymed text provides a vehicle for caregivers to deliver a warm and reassuring message of unconditional love to their charges. The verse is delivered in a style that borders on Hallmark-lite, but despite this—or perhaps because of it—author Barks and illustrator Bletsis wring ironic charm by pairing the unabashed sentiment with playful paranormal hijinks. The result feels improbably special, offering an opportunity to bask in the bond between caregiver and child. Hearing the titular phrase, “I believe in you,” repeated between parent and child sea serpents as they swim around Loch Ness is endearing and clever. The message doesn’t feel trite. Golden skies, rolling hills, and blue waters reflecting the bright yellow hues of the sun lend an air of magic to Nessie’s home. The text is not Shakespeare, but the message is clear: “From the bright golden dawn // to your cute bedtime yawn, / I believe in you. // Some people may doubt, / but we’ll tune them out. // And I’ll believe in you. // All the friends that you make, / will know you’re not fake. // They’ll believe in you.” The accompanying illustrations of wee Nessie playing joyfully with Bigfoot, a ghost, an ET, and a winged unicorn are clinchers.

Lovely, sweet, and warmly offbeat. (Board book. 2-5)

Kirkus Reviews