Who Loves Me?

by Patricia MacLachlan, Amanda Shepherd (Illustrator)

A tender ode to unconditional love.

A little girl asks the same question she must ask every night before drifting off to sleep...who loves me?

The result is a soothing and tender good-night tale brimming with heart, in which a little girl learns of the enormous love that surrounds her. Beloved author Patricia MacLachlan gives voice to that most elemental need, the need for love.

Newbery Medal winner Patricia MacLachlan's words are brought to life by Amanda Shepherd's playful and exquisitely painted illustrations. This inspired book of unconditional love and reassurance has all the makings of a classic.

Ages 4 - 8

Genres: Picture Books, Love, Family, Cats, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2005

About the author

Patricia MacLachlan was born on the prairie, and always carried a small bag of prairie dirt with her wherever she went to remind her of what she knew first. She was the author of many well-loved novels and picture books, including Sarah, Plain and Tall, winner of the Newbery Medal; its sequels, Skylark and Caleb's Story; and Three Names, illustrated by Mike Wimmer. She lived in western Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Summer D Clemenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who Loves Me? by Patricia MacLachlan reminds me of conversations I would have with children I would care for, as I tried to get them to sleep. This book is adorable. The illustrations by Amanda Shepherd are imaginative and keep you moving. As a cat lover, I can imagine this heart-to-heart very easily with my furry boy. This book was published in 2005 and geared for children aged 4 to 8 years of age, but I have to admit, I enjoyed this book a lot, myself.

[Teresa Biggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

THis is a story about a little girl getting ready for bed and the she asks the cat who loves me? and the cat answers.... I was not thrilled with all the answers.... papa loves her because he built her a playhouse. I enjoyed the whole list of who the cat mentioned though.. from the cousins to the dog.
The illustrations were just so so

[Alana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh, it's ok. Just didn't catch my attention the way MacLachlan's other books usually do. Artwork is ok, but the way the words are scattered on the pages made reading them smoothly a bit of a challenge, especially since it seems to be a bedtime book.

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Patricia MacLachlan's melodious writing is the perfect vehicle for this reminder through story of what we all need to be told now and then: Even when we don't feel loved, there are still those who care for us as deeply as we can imagine. More than the record of a bedtime tête–à–tête between a young girl and her compassionate pet cat, Who Loves Me? is medicine for the child's soul that can be expertly applied just by a parent or loved one reading it to them. Prompted by the various ways the young girl in the book's loved ones show how they feel about her, we begin to think on how our own parents, grandparents, siblings, pets, and friends demonstrate they care for us. It's a much-needed reminder for readers of any age, and author and illustrator work together admirably to present it.

Loved ones show their feelings in diverse ways, and these differences are part of the charm of being loved by many. A mother or father's love may be obvious because of all the things they do for us, the sacrifices they cheerfully make for no other reason than that it pleases them to put us first. They love us, so they happily place our needs ahead of their own. A grandparent's love is often just as selfless, if with a dash more pizzaz because they don't spend time with us daily. A brother or sister's love can be less conspicuous, as the young girl in Who Loves Me? notes, but it is there regardless of whether it's plainly stated. Siblings are part of the bedrock of one another's lives, so there's no escaping the truth that they would be missed if they were taken away, even if they get on each other's nerves more than they get along. Friends quarrel, too, perhaps leaving them to wonder if they really love each other, but the welcome sanctuary of close friendship cannot be undone by cross words, or selfish or unkind acts. Friendship is still love even when you're at odds, and its rewards are well worth the interludes of discord and hurt feelings. If you don't let yourself lose sight of the fact that you love and need each other, no rift is beyond reconciliation. All you need is love.

Patricia MacLachlan's soothing words will set at ease the minds of readers who fret that they aren't loved, and need a calming voice to reinforce that they are. The specific examples in this book won't apply to everyone, but they'll jumpstart readers' brains to come up with their own proofs of love. Who Loves Me? accomplishes this purpose with sweetness and style, and I might well give it two and a half stars. In addition to her award-winning junior novels, Patricia MacLachlan has fashioned an outstanding career writing high-quality picture books, and Who Loves Me? is yet another sound effort. I fondly recommend it.

[Ting Zhang · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book “Who loves me” was written by Patricia MacLachlan. It suitables to use for the ages range 4 to 8. It talks about a little girl asked a question: “Who loves me?” The wise cat said: “Your mother loves you. She planted you a garden of white lilies.” The little girls asked the same question over and over again. The cat answered: “Your father, brother, grandmother, grandfather, cousins, friends, and dog all love you.” The little girls asked: “Who else loves me.” The cat said: “I love you.” The little girl did not hear that. She was fast asleep. The cat leaped onto the bed and curled up under her chin. I like to read this book because it is very sweet story. It is a good story to read when children get ready for bed. The little children need to hear about their family and friends who care about them. They need to be told that who loves them each day. Children need to be held, comforted, and loved. It can help parents or teacher build a trust and security relationship between children. This is a great bedtime tale as I believe many parents and children will probably like it.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about a a little girl that is getting ready to go to bed and she asks her marmalade cat, "Who loves me?" After the girl that asks the question the cat responded. The two of them sit together and identifies the child's many family and friends that lover her. Her grandfathers show their love by teaching "about the fish in the pond". Friends don't stop loving one another just because "They argue sometimes." Mother loves her because “She plated you a garden of white lilies” and father because “He built you a wooden playhouse with blue shutters and a stone path, and a window box of pansies.” The story goes on to share all the many ways that this child is loved. The cat plays the comforting roll of explaining the many ways she is loved and is a good friend that is very carrying.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet story about a young girl and a cat who reminds the girl about all of the people who love her. One could use this book to show how text can be written in various styles. The text curves in various ways on each page. This story can help remind children of all the wonderful people in their life, and how they love them.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story perfect for cuddly bedtime. A little girl wonders who loves her...a wise cat reminds her of all the people in her life who love her. Even when they are angry, shy, or unattentive, these people around her silently love her. She drifts off to sleep reassured that her world is full of people who love her unconditionally.

[Audra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very sweet story about a little girl who asks her cat who loves her, at bedtime. The cat answers with all of her loved ones in her life that love her. It has become my youngest's favorite bedtime story and a great way to end the day. Written by the author of "Sarah, Plain and Tall", another wonderful book.

[Danielle Simmons · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was about a little girl talking with her cat and asking who loves her. They then go into detail of all the people and animals in the little girls life that love her. A warming story for kids and the way the text was written was interesting.

[Glenn Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good story that teaches the lesson about friendship and love. This would be a good lesson to read to children who get in a disagreement and have grudges toward one another. Just because someone gets into a fight doesn't mean they can be friends.

[Sandra Stiles · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young girls asks the question “Who love me?” Her cat takes her down memory lane to find the answers before she goes to sleep.

[Natalya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julie read this to the class during a social studies lesson about human groups.

[Michelle Nero · Rating 2 out of 5]

A reminder that we are loved by many.

[Emily Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

PB11 - I didn't really like this book, it was super repetitive and it completely lost my attention multiple times throughout.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little girl trying to fall asleep is reassured by her cat about all the people in her life that love her.