I Love You Already!

Jory John's I Love You Already is a very funny picture book for 5 year olds about a bear who wants a quiet day and a duck who wants a best friend.

What happens

Bear has everything he needs for a lazy weekend morning on his own. Then there's a knock at the door. "Bear! It's Duck! From next door!"

Duck has plans. A walk. Some quality time. His whole life story (twice). Bear says no to every single one. Duck doesn't seem to hear.

The whole book is just the two of them talking, and it's a brilliant double act. Is this nice? No. Pleasant? No. Lovely? No. The absolute best morning Bear's ever had? No! Your reader will probably be shouting the NOs before you get there.

It's made for reading aloud. There are two very different voices to do, and Bear's is grumpy while Duck's is VERY excited. Bear's quiet little "(Grrr.)" when Duck asks to borrow money for an ice pop is a lovely moment to ham up.

Underneath all the jokes there's something sweet. All Duck wants is for Bear to like him. Bear does (he says so, in capitals!). He just likes his quiet time too. When Duck takes a tumble, Bear has to find the words for how he really feels.

It's a nice one for talking about friends who want different things. Can you love someone and still want some time on your own? Bear seems to think you can. Duck may need a little more convincing.

If you've got a reader who has a Duck in their life, or who IS the Duck, they'll probably recognise a bit of themselves here. And if they're more of a Bear, they'll feel for him on every page.

What to read next

If they fall for this pair, Goodnight Already! is Bear and Duck's first book together. This time Bear is desperate to sleep, and Duck is wide awake next door and very bored.