Editorial Review
Within the sanctuary of a loving family, baby Eli is born and, as he grows, "learns to cherish the people and places around him, eventualy passing on what he has discovered to his new baby sister, Sylvie: 'All the places to love are here . . . no matter where you may live.' This loving book will be something to treasure."'BL."The quiet narrative is so intensely felt it commands attention. . . . a lyrical celebration."'K.
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Customer Reviews
A heart warming masterpiece 
2008-04-15
Patricia MacLachlan creates a heart warming masterpiece through a simple country family's connection with each other and their land. All the Places to Love begins with Eli's birth and his first view of the countryside his family calls home. Eli would soon grow to love this countryside through his experiences with his mother, father, and grandparents. They each have a place on the farm, which holds a special place in their heart. Mama loves the hill where she can see the sun rise on one side and set on the other. Papa love the fields and working in them. Grandma shares her love for the river with Eli as they sail notes down stream to one another. The barn grows special to Eli's heart after sharing experiences with Grandpa working in a place that brings joy to his life. Eli creates his personal getaway where the spring rains come and turn the meadows into marsh. The paintings by Mike Wimmer combined with the words by MacLachlan capture the passion filled anticipation of Eli as he awaits the birth of his baby sister. Eli is eager to show Sylvie "all the places to love."
so beautiful & tender 2008-01-21
I am the parent who picks out books for the kids, whether it's at the library or the book store. It's not very often that my husband comments on my choices but this one he came to me right after our 3-yo daughter's bedtime and said how wonderful it is. The text is so lovely and tender, and the illustrations are so rich and lifelike. It really gives a sense of connection to both nature and family roots. A real pleasure for kids & parents alike.
Very sweet story that a child can identify with 
2007-10-25
I like this book very much and know that I will read it over and over to my grandchildren. The illustrations are excellent. The story is helpful (learning about the concept of history in a simple fashion) and told in a lyrical voice.
Two other reasons to love this 2007-10-20
The other reviews did a great job describing this book. I agree with what they said about the beauty, emotion, and love in this book. Here are my top two reasons why this is an important book:
1. Richness of language. Developmentally, if children are exposed to language rich in vocabulary, structure, and grammar, it helps in so many ways. If you read a sentence each out of stack of random Disney, Sesame Street and other character books they all sound the same. If that is all children hear they miss the richness of our language, and actually their ability to think in complex ways is affected. If you read a sentence each of books like this, you hear the difference.
2. Exposure to experience. If you read Richard Louv's Last Child in the Woods, you are familiar with the theory that children today have much less real contact with the natural world, and it is affecting them. Even in my own experience, I got to poke in creeks and catch crawdads, hike in woods by myself, eat warm tomatos and corn right out of the garden, and ride my bike all day and stop by the side of the road to eat the lunch I packed. My kids won't have those experiences, and even a school trip to Sunnydale Farm so the kids can line up and pet a cow won't make up for not having the experience of being alone and self-directed in a natural environment. This book doesn't, of course, replace a first hand experience, but I believe can give children some sense of an important experience in our cultural history that most children will not get any other way.
beautiful book 2007-01-10
Wonderful story and a pleasure to read over and over. Makes me teary every time, very touching. Rhythm of the story seems to help my son go to sleep.
Heart-warming Story 2006-11-29
Within the sanctuary of a loving family, baby Eli is born and, as he grows, "learns to cherish the people and places around him, eventualy passing on what he has discovered to his new baby sister, Sylvie: 'All the places to love are here . . . no matter where you may live.' This loving book will be something to treasure."'BL."The quiet narrative is so intensely felt it commands attention. . . . a lyrical celebration."'K.
Definitely In the Top 5 of All Children's Books 2006-08-24
Almost everyone else has said it already--this is as good a book as you can read to your kids. Not, contrary to what an isolated review suggested, stilted at all. Just beautifully evocative of a family living complete and joyful lives, with their ties to the land still unbroken.
Touching, beautiful, full of love 2006-06-05
I love this book! I bought this book for my son (then 3) when I was expecting my daughter. Admittedly, this is MY favorite book. My son would much rather read something silly than poignant. But this book is GORGEOUS! The illustrations are achingly beautiful. The love in this multigenerational family leaps off the page. There is a home birth, love of the land/ nature/ farming, and sibling love. The boy in the story is taught by his mother, father, grandfather and grandmother about "all the places to love." The story closes with him teaching these things to his new sister. Every once in a while, my son asks me to choose the books I like best for our reading and I always choose this one. Don't get me wrong, he likes it too (he's now 5) he just doesn't usually choose it. You won't regret buying this book!
Passing on the things we love 2006-04-17
I am not only a Book junkie, I am a grandma who wants to pass on the Passion. I fell in love with this book not only because I grew up in rural Michigan, on a dairy farm, with my grandparents up the road. But because this book captures the love and family bond that I want to pass to my grandchildren. Mike Wimmer did an exceptional job of bringing this lovely story to life. I Dare you to read this out loud to any child you love .. and not shed a tear!
Beautiful Illustrations, Poetic Text 2006-02-23
This will quickly become a favorite! Beautiful illustrations are matched with poetic text about rural life and the value of family. We love reading about Eli's family members' favorite places on their farm, and how he spends his days with them on it. This is a heartwarming tale of nature, family, and love.
