I Like You

by Sandol Stoddard Warburg, Jacqueline Chwast (Illustrator)

This classic and funny hardcover picture book is the perfect way to say I like you. A deeply affectionate celebration of all the reasons we like each other, here is the book that Romeo would have given Juliet, Charlie Brown would have given Snoopy, and you can give to some very special friend. This book expresses the true meaning of friendship in a long list of ways with charming accompanying illustrations by Jacqueline Chwast. For example: I like you because you know where I'm ticklish, and you don't tickle me there except just a little tiny bit sometimes! Whether for Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, Teacher Appreciation Day, graduation, or any day, and for adults or kids, you can't go wrong with I Like You. As Maria Popova comments in The Marginalian: "Love—that sweetest, most knotless and untroubled kind—is what radiates from these simple, surprisingly profound verse-like meditations on friendship, illustrated with the kindred sensibility of Chwast’s simple yet richly expressive black-and-white line drawings."

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Poetry, Fiction, Friendship, Love, Relationships

48 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

On December 16, 1927, Sandol Stoddard was born to parents, Carlos French and Caroline (Harris) Stoddard. She took up and finished a Bachelor of Arts degree at Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania. She went on to have her graduate work at San Francisco State College.

At 22 years old, she married Felix M. Warburg. They had four children, but their marriage lasted till 1963. She then met Frank Drew Dollard, whom she married in June 19, 1966. However, this marriage also ended. In June 1, 1974 she married William A. Atchley. She was married to Peter R. Goethals from 1984 until his death in 2000.

She was known as a contemporary author.

Source: Sandol Stoddard Warburg – A Short Biography.

Reviews

[Fred · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is, of course, almost too cute. But it is also just so right. First I wanted to put in one or two excerpts, but I settled on four. Then I added a fifth and then a sixth. Make me stop!

****

I.

I like you because
I don't know why but
Everything that happens
Is nicer with you

I can't remember when I didn't like you

II.

I like you because
When I tell you something special
You know it's special
And you remember it
A long time

You say
Remember when you told me
Something special

And both of us remember

III.

And I like you because
When I am feeling sad
You don't always cheer me up right away

Sometimes it is better to be sad
You can't stand the others being so googly and gaggly every single minute
You want to think about things

It takes time

IV.

I like you because if I am mad at you
Then you are mad at me too

It's awful when the other person isn't

Phooey

They are so nice and hoo-hoo you could just about punch them in the nose

V.

You know how to be silly
That’s why I like you
Boy are you ever silly
I never met anybody sillier than me till I met you

I like you because you know when it’s time to stop being silly
Maybe day after tomorrow
Maybe never

Too late, it’s a quarter past silly!

VI.

And I really like you back
And you like me back
And I like you back

And that's the way we keep on going
Every day

****

Et cetera. Yes, it's that precious. But - it's -

true. Isn't it?

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sweet, little, deceptively simple book about friendship with unreasonably cute illustrations. Even if you don't like this kind of shit, it will break you. If you refuse to break, there are doctors you can see about that.

[smetchie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is for all kinds of liking and it's sweetness will make your heart grow two or three sizes.
Example:

"I like you because you are a good person to like."

"When I say something funny you laugh. I think I'm funny and you think I'm funny too."

"I like you because you know where I'm ticklish and you don't tickle me there except just a little tiny bit sometimes. But if you do then I know where to tickle you too."

"I like you because if I think I am going to throw up then you are really sorry. You don't just pretend you are busy looking at the birdies and all that."

"I can't remember when I didn't like you. It must have been lonesome then."

[Kathy Ellen Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet book.
Perfect for friends, children, anyone.
It puts friendship in concrete terms that anyone will understand.
The last time I read it?
Aloud to a friend I had just made over the summer, at the airport, before he left to go home.

He came to sublet my room.
From the second he arrived, we were like two peas in a pod.
Only, this little pea had to leave.
We did get to spend some time together.
And we both talked about how crazy it was to just meet and then feel so close.
We were both sad that we wouldn't be able to see each other, since he lives across the Atlantic.

So when I got to this part:

"If you go away then I go away too
Or I stay home
You send me a postcard

You don't just say
Well see you around sometime
bye.

I like you a lot because of that
and If I go away
I send you a postcard too."

We teared up a bit.

If you read this book, you'll love it.

Haiku Review:

I Like you, I do
and there is no real reason
except, I like you

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is sooo sweet! I love that it can apply to friendship between children, or to that special soul-mate love between adults. It's just so simple yet so true in its gentle, everyday reasons for liking someone--while showing that, really, the empathy found in those situations is the heart of it all.

[Kelli Moyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Why do I like you? I guess I just like you… I guess I just like you because I like you.”

This short, sweet and seemingly simple picture book is easily one of my very favorites. It is a refreshing reminder that friendship and love are kind, simple, and aren’t always describable. My great aunt introduced me to this book when I was a child, I loved it then too, but the feeling and meaning that I’ve attached to it has grown and changed as I have. This story is reminiscent of innocent childhood friendships: real, honest and big. It’s about connection, unspoken understanding and the joy of sharing experiences with people you genuinely care about.

[Reco · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books that I've read in years - seriously. One of the best things about children's books is that they don't beat around the bush. After the first page, I knew this was a book that I would have to buy...and give to my friends. Simple but touching.

[pearl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't remember when I didn't like you.
It must have been lonesome then.
I like you because because because
I forget why I like you, but I do.
So many reasons.

[Novlette Gooden-Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely splendid little book about the appreciation of friendship, whether young or old. Bound to bring a smile to your face!

[Gina House · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5🌟 A super sweet and lovely book! This little volume is about friendship and how to express how much you like someone. The playful black and white illustrations are quirky and fun.

I was so touched to receive this book as a gift from my dear friend, Liz (@pony.books on IG), when we met for the first time in France for a week's vacation at the house of our Bookstagram friend, Beth (@beth.bonini on IG). Such a thoughtful and adorable gift and I love it!

A loving keepsake of our unforgettable and wonderful trip!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are the morality tales I grew up on. Nothing fancy, pen and ink drawings that somehow capture more of the character than color and modern technique. Message is plain and clear, not couched behind anything. Refreshing and honest story about friendship that I really enjoyed.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so sweet and innocent. It is a great gift for someone special in your life.

[Tiah Keever · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best little book on what friendship is all about.

[Sara Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can still hear my mother's voice reading this book aloud to me as a child. The copy that my father bought my mother on their first date. I read it to my 3 year old for the first time this week.

[Ngọc Khanh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mình có thể sai lầm về nhiều thứ trên đời, nhưng chắc chắn đây sẽ là quyển sách về tình yêu ranked số 1 trong tủ sách của mình. Các bạn sẽ không thể tin được là mình đã không dám đọc hết, dù quyển sách này thực sự chỉ có lèo tèo vài chữ vì mình sẽ khóc mất.
3 chữ đơn giản "i like you", qua mỗi trang sách lại được diễn đạt theo một cách khác nhau. Tất cả đều rất đơn giản, rất chân thành và cực kỳ trẻ con nhưng khiến mình phải chợt nhận ra rằng wow, hóa ra đúng là khi bạn thích ai đó, cả thế giới đều biết. Mọi hành động bạn làm, mọi điều bạn nói đều viết lên nó mồn một tình cảm của bạn vậy.
Nhưng làm sao để nói những điều bạn cảm thấy ra thành lời, sắp xếp nó bằng những con chữ thì lại là câu chuyện khác.
Nè, hỏi các bạn cái này nhé.
Nếu như không phải là những cụm từ quen thuộc như:
"Anh yêu em"
"Tớ thích cậu"
Bạn sẽ làm thế nào để diễn tả được tình cảm của mình với một người đặc biệt?

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another 60's classic that could never be published today. Not only does it have no STEM tie-in (>gasp<), nor is it about shaming children, or yet another other-ing victimhood tale that exists to tell children and parents all the things they do wrong...it is pure silly fun. It celebrates being goofy, and play for its own sake without any agenda or ulterior motive. The drawings are as funny as the text.

[Amica Huynh · Rating 5 out of 5]

the sweetest little book. fun to read if you have someone in particular to think about— a big reason why i bought it for guests to read something short and sweet but walk away feeling good

[Alynda Worrell-Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gets me every time 🥲

[KidsBooksWorthReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never liked super mushy, super sad kids books. Sometimes I will like the story but it's just too sad! I don't want to read a book that will make me cry.. I'm the same with movies. But this book that was published in 1965 is quirky, silly, sweet, and not sad! And a perfect valentine (or any day gift!) for a little friend or a grown up one. We found this one at our beloved Reading Reptile (RIP) a few years ago. But I have been able to find it online. (Ahem, Amazon..) #kidsbooksworthreading #kidsbooks #childrensbooks #childrensliterature #kidsbookstagram #ilikeyou #kidslit

[Karissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Went to a used book store and spent hours browsing the shelves. Left with dozens of books. Tons of kid books that adults should regularly read, like this one. It's about the best relationship book out there!!

[Georgetowner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A completely delightful little book on being best friends. The book is spot on in it's depiction of what it is to be friends. The verse is clever & lyrical and the illustrations are very amusing! So thrilled my bestie gave me this little book! It's a keeper!

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was a weird written little book. If it was written better I would give it 5 stars. Read to my daughter of 10 and she even was a bit confused on what the author had written.

[Deanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

So. Darn Cute.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so cute, funny, and perfect for that perfectly imperfect person.

[Ginny Colón · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweetest kids book.

[Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gets it.

[Douglas Beagley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect.

[Ian McHugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful little book. A simple message. A loving message. Quirky text and ideas and brilliantly - weirdly - illustrated. “I Like This”.

[Amresh Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favs.

[Molly Stillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved this book and I even read an excerpt from it in my wedding vows. <3