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One little elephant learns that a parent's love is unconditional.
There is always love between parent and child, which is the heartwarming message in an exquisite new title from Emma Dodd. Featuring stunning illustrations of an elephant family and with interior pages embellished with foil, this makes a handsome addition to any nursery bookshelf.
There is always love between parent and child, which is the heartwarming message in an exquisite new title from Emma Dodd. Featuring stunning illustrations of an elephant family and with interior pages embellished with foil, this makes a handsome addition to any nursery bookshelf.
24 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
3 people are currently reading
301 people want to read
About the author
Emma Dodd
311 books143 followersEmma Dodd Author/Illustrator
Emma was brought up in Guildford, Surrey, in a family of artists and from as far back as she can remember she has wanted to be an illustrator.
Emma studied Graphic Design and Illustration at Central Saint Martin's School of Art and has worked extensively in advertising, editorial and book illustration.
She was nominated for the Booktrust Early Years Award in 2006 for her book "What Pet to Get" and in 2009 for "Miaow said the Cow"
Emma lives in Surrey with her husband and two children, who provide inspiration for her work, and their Jack Russel Terrier, Bart, who keeps her fit. She likes to spend any spare time in North Cornwall, surfing and walking in all weathers.
Emma was brought up in Guildford, Surrey, in a family of artists and from as far back as she can remember she has wanted to be an illustrator.
Emma studied Graphic Design and Illustration at Central Saint Martin's School of Art and has worked extensively in advertising, editorial and book illustration.
She was nominated for the Booktrust Early Years Award in 2006 for her book "What Pet to Get" and in 2009 for "Miaow said the Cow"
Emma lives in Surrey with her husband and two children, who provide inspiration for her work, and their Jack Russel Terrier, Bart, who keeps her fit. She likes to spend any spare time in North Cornwall, surfing and walking in all weathers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
June 10, 2023
این سری کتابا خیلی خوبن، اشک آدم درمیاد
February 11, 2020
Our newest reader in the house, Miss S, age 3 months, loves this sweet book! The art is lovely with shiny but relaxing colors to catch the eye and the story is so very heartwarming.
December 25, 2023
But no matter what you say or do,
I always love you :)
I always love you :)
October 4, 2014
This is adorable, but is it wrong to say that my favorite part was the shininess of the illustrations? The silver is just so beautifully incorporated that even I was ooh-ing over the prettiness.
December 30, 2015
I liked: the hug I get at the end.
she liked: acting out all the feelings in the book.
she liked: acting out all the feelings in the book.
February 5, 2024
save me children’s book that is not meant for me save me
February 22, 2020
Such a fun book for Valentine's Day at Baby Storytime. Emma Dodd gets all the feels!
May 10, 2015
Nice sentiment about unconditional love. Lovely simple illustrations. The love between the mother elephant and it's child are apparent in the subtle drawings.
I do, however, have a problem with labeling the child with their behaviors. Child psychologists teach that you should be careful to tell a child that their behavior is bad, they are not bad. Children learn to believe what they're told by those they love and trust, and can grow to believe that they are a bad child. Unfortunately, this simple story does not make that distinction.
I think it's important to read it to kids with their open, absorbent minds by changing the words as you read it from: Sometimes you're good, sometimes you're bad. to: Sometimes you do things that are good, sometimes you do things that are bad.
Otherwise, a lovely book.
I do, however, have a problem with labeling the child with their behaviors. Child psychologists teach that you should be careful to tell a child that their behavior is bad, they are not bad. Children learn to believe what they're told by those they love and trust, and can grow to believe that they are a bad child. Unfortunately, this simple story does not make that distinction.
I think it's important to read it to kids with their open, absorbent minds by changing the words as you read it from: Sometimes you're good, sometimes you're bad. to: Sometimes you do things that are good, sometimes you do things that are bad.
Otherwise, a lovely book.
February 15, 2016
I am a graphic designer and the paper and inks used for this book are out of this world. Foil stamping. Pantones. Thick, glossy paper that doesn't leave fingerprints. This book is a work of art. And the story is just as good--a short, sweet book, perfect for bedtime with little ones. Recommend.
September 19, 2014
The title we have at the library is "Always" but I'm pretty sure it's the same text.
Great one on one story for bedtime.
Great one on one story for bedtime.
October 31, 2014
apparently this is a new edition of the same book entitled "no matter what". would make a great gift book.
January 22, 2015
Short, simple text.
July 27, 2020
Sweet, as always!
August 14, 2019
Message is nice, but language isn't great. Young elephant is referred to as "good" and "bad".
September 4, 2021
Absolutely obsessed with the baby elephant's eyes.
January 23, 2024
The book I borrowed has the title "Always". It's the same cover. I assume it's the same book. Books that describe a playful child as bad or misbehaving don't sit right with me. If you tell a playful child they are bad, you are bringing down their spirit. The scene where the young elephant is being mean to the insect is clearly not nice, not playful. I don't want any young reader believing that their silly, playful nature is "bad" or "misbehaving". The tired parent may not like it, but it's no reason to call it a bad thing.
February 5, 2020
This is an OK book - It is simple and short, and I do really like the illustrations. The message of unconditional love is, of course, very nice. I always dislike calling children "bad" even if it is only
"sometimes". Naughty seems more accurate, but, of course, wouldn't rhyme. I read this book with groups of parents and two year olds as part of an opposites storytime - the little ones definitely did not find it riveting.
"sometimes". Naughty seems more accurate, but, of course, wouldn't rhyme. I read this book with groups of parents and two year olds as part of an opposites storytime - the little ones definitely did not find it riveting.
December 25, 2017
Super cute book with fancy illustrations....but I have really strong feelings about calling a child bad. "Sometimes you're good, and sometimes you're bad." Um, no. Sometimes you behave well, and sometimes you don't.
So, super nitpicky but I wouldn't ever read this to my child without altering wording.
So, super nitpicky but I wouldn't ever read this to my child without altering wording.
March 27, 2018
I got two different copies of this same story, not realizing that "No Matter What" and "Always" were the same story. The copy I have of Always has use of foil in the illustrations and that's probably the only different I can see between the two.
I loved this one. It's a short sweet story about loving your little one no matter what.
I loved this one. It's a short sweet story about loving your little one no matter what.
March 26, 2022
This is very cute. I like the illustrations and the simple text. I also like that you don't have to turn the page to complete a thought (that's a pet peeve of mine for toddler books, because sometimes my toddler has asked three questions by the time we turn the page and by then the next phrase feels like a nonsequitor!). Great read for a young child.
September 23, 2025
Not part of the love you series but still super cute with great illustrations.
I just love this writers books. This one is as usual short and sweet and still with an impactful message that regardless of how you are bad or good, clean or dirty, scared or mad you are still so very loved just the way you are.
I just love this writers books. This one is as usual short and sweet and still with an impactful message that regardless of how you are bad or good, clean or dirty, scared or mad you are still so very loved just the way you are.
May 16, 2018
This series by Emma Dodd is wonderfully written in such a way that it reaches the youngest of readers, delivering a deep message.
In this book, mama elephant is telling her baby that she will always love him, no matter if he is naughty or good, clean or dirty, happy or sad.
In this book, mama elephant is telling her baby that she will always love him, no matter if he is naughty or good, clean or dirty, happy or sad.
March 24, 2019
I love this simple rhyming story! It’s perfect for a 2 to 3 year old... maybe older (but I haven’t tested that yet :) ) The illustrations are fun but the real treasure is that Dodd manages to convey big truths in short simple poetic lines.
April 9, 2023
E: I learned about emotions. I liked it when he was happy.i didn't like it when he was not happy. I liked it when he was being good. It's not the best book.
Parent: a sweet book, especially for younger ages, affirming that no matter what they do or feel, they are loved.
Parent: a sweet book, especially for younger ages, affirming that no matter what they do or feel, they are loved.
June 23, 2023
Six year old says: we checked out this book always after reading everything. In everything the bill had gold flecks. In always the book has silver. The book has rhymes so I was able to guess a few of the words because of the rhyme like brave and misbehave and clean and mean.
July 23, 2017
Love these shiny pages.
December 10, 2017
We love this book. The illustrations are lovely and shimmery. The silver on the ‘clean’ page is my favorite. Beautiful book I’ve read hundreds of times to my little one!
March 27, 2018
Great book. I'm using it for my pre-school playtime about elephants. The book is gently written and the illustrations are gorgeous. Love!
October 29, 2018
Simple but sweet.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews