Lisa McCourt: I Love You, Stinky Face

A mother is tucking her child into bed and says, "I love you, my wonderful child". But the child worries that his mother might not love him if he were something less attractive than a wonderful child.

He tests the limits of unconditional maternal love with a series of challenging questions. What if he were a big, scary ape, or a super smelly skunk, or a terrible meat-eating dinosaur with razor-sharp claws?

The inventive mother has a creative answer to every situation. She would bake the ape a banana cake, feed the dinosaur plenty of meat, give the skunk a bath. And if the skunk still smelled, she would hug him regardless and whisper, "I love you, Stinky Face".

Underlying the child's questions is, of course, the fear that if he misbehaves and is a "little monster", then he won't be loved. This tender and humorous story provides reassurance on every page and is perfect for mothers to share with children at bedtime.

Illustrated by: Cyd Moore

Publisher: Scholastic

Price: $14.99

Age: 3-7

Recommended by: Jenni Keestra