Win or Lose, I Love You!

August 17, 2015
Lulu and Maxâit's unclear if they are siblings or friendsâpreside over a Field Day competition among forest animals, while trying to ensure that the competitors win and lose gracefully. An introductory note aimed at parents signals this picture book's didactic intentions from the outset, and indeed TerKeurst's (It Will Be Okay: Trusting God Through Fear and Change) messages about kindness, generosity, and forgiveness dominate. After Coyote wins the costume contest, and Goosey responds with a tantrum, Lulu jumps in with a rhyme that becomes the story's takeaway: "You may not win, but you must try./ Sometimes you'll lose, but there's no need to cry./ Win or lose, one thing that's true.../ no matter what, I love you!" Christy (When the Wind Blows) creates an appealingly soft, gauzy forest landscape and an amiable cast of human and animal characters, which helps offset the stiffness of their conversations. As a teaching tool, it's sure to have its uses, though the story itself never rises beyond its instructive goals. Ages 4â8. Author's agent: Esther Fedorkevich, Fedd Agency. Illustrator's agent: Justin Rucker, Shannon Associates.

July 15, 2015
Lulu and Max hold a field-day competition for the animals to determine the leader of the forest, but is being a good sport more important than winning? On the way, Lulu explains to Max that they may have to help the animals who lose, as they may be sad or mad, and this turns out to be prophetic. Coyote wins the costume contest with his wings, but this causes Goose to cry-her wings are real, after all. Lulu says what's important is trying your best and remembering that, no matter what, you are loved. But it's Bear-Bear who really proves his skills throughout the day, saying just the right thing, helping to clean up, pointing out what needs to get done and doing it, and forgiving Coyote when he forgets to be a good sport and a good friend. Clearly, Bear-Bear is the best choice for leader of the forest. Christy's softly colored illustrations feature adorable animals in a woodland setting. There's a fuzzy quality to the artwork that lends it some texture and whimsy. In a letter to parents, Terkeurst explains that "one of the greatest lessons a parent can teach...is how to navigate life's wins and losses." She points out that God has a plan in mind for each of us, and a list of Scripture memory verses on the endpapers (unseen) will help kids remember this. Didactic? To be sure, but it's a much-needed lesson that goes down easily. (Picture book. 3-8)

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September 1, 2015
Grades K-2 Two children, Lulu and Max, run the field day competition among six animals to choose the leader of the forest. The costume contest leaves Goosey wailing because she lost, but Bear-Bear manages to cheer her up. After winning the stick toss, Raccoon whines when Lulu asks him to pick up the sticks. Next, Coyote reacts to losing the obstacle course with a tantrum that wrecks the pie-tasting-contest table. In the end, amiable Bear-Bear is chosen as leader because he worked hard to make things better. More like a mother figure than a child, Lulu offers advice to the animals along the way, ending with the catchall, Win or lose, one thing that's true / No matter what, I love you! While many truisms related to winning, losing, leadership, forgiveness, and love appear in the story, none are developed beyond a superficial level. The author's earnest, religious-minded introduction may be appealing to some parents but off-putting to others. Christy's illustrations, meanwhile, full of softly diffused colors, are as sweet as the text.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)