Would you believe that this book is a controversial one?

The author shared that the book came about because he and his wife lost two babies, and so they ended up adopting two that they named, Sam and Gilly.

And…

Because of their experience of losing children, and the beauty of being able to adopt and love two, they always wanted them to know how much they were loved…

And…

That their love would carry on forever.

Thus…

Love you, forever.

However…

Valerie Lewis, co-owner of Hicklebee’s a children’s bookstore in San Jose, CA, shared when interviewed about this book, that…

“It is the most loved and the most hated book I’ve ever seen. More loved than not, people will read this book and burst into tears.”

But…

It doesn’t stop with Ms. Lewis.

Barbara Jenko, coordinator for new book selection for the Brooklyn Public Library, said…

“It’s the most Oedipal book I’ve read since ‘Oedipus.’”

The author actually received a letter sharing…

“Dear Mr. Munsch, how dare you parade the general public your unresolved Oedipal feelings for your mother!”

All these musings I share come from an article by MP Dunleavy, I read in the New York Times.

The story is about a mother rocking her baby son and telling him, “I’ll love you forever.”

Of course, if you look at the visual illustrations you see the mother crawling to his bed every night to hold him and sing this refrain no matter how old he is. Toddlerhood to adulthood.

Now, personally, I did not take this literally, or from an Oedipal place. I happen to have 2 sons.

And…

I do love them dearly, and definitely, forever, too.

And…yes, I will age myself by sharing that my sons are now in their 40’s and they have kids… my grandkids, that I love forever, too.

And…

They each live in separate states. I don’t crawl into their beds.

But…

I do say I love them every chance I get.

And I think that really is the point of the story.

So…

However, you choose to interpret this story, I thought this was an interesting point of view to share.

I have read this story to my son many times and I have never gotten through it without crying.

I know people think it's creepy, but I loved this book growing up. My parents were divorced, my extend families were super toxic. I felt alone and forgotten a lot of the time because I was hyper independent and became the parentified child raising my siblings and being the emotional support for both parents. I wanted someone to love me so much they would check on me. Sad but eh. I'm in therapy.

Creepy. Creepy creepy creepy creepy.

This is a book that all parents should own!! I give it as a gift at every baby shower. It doesn’t matter how many times I have read it, I always cry

Great book but have tissues ready. Can't read it without crying, every time.

Had my husband and I in tears. So sweet, I ordered it to keep forever.
May 17, 2011

This was such a sweet book!

" I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be"

A mother repeats this phrase to her son at night, continuing this as he grows up. Parents of even older children can relate. No matter how old they get, they are still yours and you love them.
This books shows that through good times and bad and has such a sweet, tender ending that should touch everyone's heart.


There is one part that is a bit disturbing with the mom even sneaking into the "boy's" home when he is an adult to continue so sooth him in his sleep. While the literal sense of this is....unusual to say the least, the concept the book holds is very true. For me to this day, my mother still calls me her "Munchkin" and has admitted that even having kids of my own I will still be her little girl. No matter what I do or go through she loves me. And that is the message I love about this book.

When I first saw this I half wondered what it was about and hoped it was not about toilet training. Lucky for me I it wasn't. This book is a treasure and a perfect book to read before bed. and the quote about is utterly endearing. Try it with your own child!

Sweet, sweet book about the unconditional and unending nature of true love.

This book makes me cry. Still.