Swan in Love

This is the way a children's book should be. The artwork is lush, the story heart breaking, and the concept and central theme is enough to touch an adult perspective as stronly as a child's view. The tale is simple: A swan falls in love with a touring boat carved in the shape of a swan, and refuses to give up on his unrequited love no matter what the consequences. The ending will leave even adults with a sense of the wonder and the sense of loss that true emotions reveal. This story revolves around what love really is, and how much we would be willing to give up for it.

I'm an elementary school librarian and this is the book I read to children the week of Valentine's Day. I read it to my kindergarten and 1st grade classes. I tell them it's a favorite of mine and even though it's not red and pink with hearts it's what I like to read for Valentine's Day because it's about love. I do not attempt to explain the ending. I simply close the book and look at them. They are always quiet and look back at me and then I ask them if they like it and they always tell me they love it. The book I read to them is my personal copy given to my son by his grandparents in 2003. I was asked by a 1st grader to put it in the library so she could check it out so I need to buy one.

This is a beautiful book-I almost cried while reading it.

If you have children of any age, chances are you're already aware that Eve Bunting is an author of high quality, regardless of the age for which she is writing. Marry that particular caveat with the fact that this book is also illustrated magnificently by the no-less-superb Jo Allen McAllister Stammen, and you're in the ballpark for a winner."Swan in Love," however, tends to be a bit heavy handed for my tastes. The swan in the title, Swan, is in love with a swan-shaped boat with the name "Dora" painted on her. Swan has to endure the ridicule from the other swans, frogs, and fish in and on the lake. Rather than flying south for the winter, Swan watches as Dora is pulled from the lake, and sits by, taking up guard.Inevitably, and predictably, Dora starts to become a little run down. In fact, it looks as though Dora's days as a boat are finished; her return to the lake one spring reveals too many leaks to allow her to stay in the water. She is pulled out, much to the distress of Swan.The ending of the book is confusing to some children; after a small amount of explaining, they tend to "get it," but still are a bit disturbed by the fact that the love expressed throughout the book is all in Swan's head. The lesson being taught is that love, even unrequited love, is fine; it will be returned, even if only in your imagination.I know, the actual lesson of the book is far less shallow than that, but I can only echo the sentiments of my own kids. Questions such as "How come it didn't show the other swans that might have loved Swan as much as he loved Dora?"Swan isn't unloveable, and neither is the book. Pick it up and read it to your kids; it should engage them in some insightful conversation, if nothing else.

This is a simple, yet beautiful way for children to learn that it's ok to love anything they feel love for, despite any differences. The illustrations are magical and the words transcend the idea of love softly into any readers heart.