Here are some of this book's reviews
Father and daughter mice beautifully illustrate the special bond between parent and child in Emmett's latest. Littletail and Longtail spend the day in the forest playing games: chase, hide-and-seek and follow the leader. Although Littletail is good at these games, Longtail is always better. But Longtail reassures her that he won't always be better-someday she will be faster, cleverer and just as big as he is. But one thing will always be the same, no matter what: "I love you always and forever."
This is one of those standouts where text and illustrations are in perfect unison. Howarth's huge mice take center-stage, giving readers a mouse's perspective and highlighting his masterful portrayal of facial expressions. He achieves the ideal balance between cuteness and realistic detail. Like others in this style, this has the potential to begin a loving tradition in any young family. (Picture book. 2-8)
KIRKUS REVIEWS
This is such a charming tale of Littletail and Longtail, unusual in that it is a story of a daughter and her father, instead of a child and mother. Littletail is full of frolic as she scampers through the day. Longtail, the constant, loving father, is with her all the time. The concept of the quickness with which children grow, equaling or surpassing their parent in strength and size, is too true, but adulthood will never come soon enough in a child's eyes. Littletail is clever, but Longtail is cleverer; she is fast, but he is faster; he is small, but she is smaller and able to squeeze between the roots of an old tree where he is not, providing the only reversal of the pattern. The only thing unwavering is his love for her "…that will be forever." Howarth's illustrations are as delightful as they come. Detailed, friendly expressions as well as soft, soothing surroundings create a comfortable story to snuggle with. It is sure to be a favorite at bedtime, naptime or any kind of snuggle time!
CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
Two brown field mice, a father and daughter, scamper and scurry through the woods on a bright, sunny day. When Littletail challenges Longtail to a race, he wins, but he reminds his downcast youngster that one day she will be too big for him to catch. During hide-and-seek, Longtail easily finds Littletail, but he reminds her that she will grow to be cleverer as well. In a game of follow the leader, her father gets stuck because he is too big to follow her through the roots of an old tree, and he tells a triumphant Littletail that one day she will be as big as he. That evening, just before a very tired little mouse falls asleep in their cozy nest, Longtail kisses her good night and tells her what will last "always and forever." Large, realistic illustrations filled with wildflowers and berries provide a soothing backdrop to the mice romping in the woods. Wonderful for bedtimes and storytimes, this is a simple, heartwarming tale of companionship and a parent's unconditional love.
Linda Staskus, SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
"I Love You Always and Forever," by Jonathan Emmett, is the story of two mice, Longtail and Littletail, who play catch, hide-and-seek and follow-the-leader in the forest. As they scamper around and the older mouse usually comes out the winner, Longtail reminds the youngster that, one day, things will change and Littletail will grow up. But, he reassures her, his love for Littletail will remain constant.
This tender story, embellished with even sweeter paintings by Daniel Howarth, is the perfect bedtime read.
Krys Stefansky, THE ROANOKE TIMES
Both words and watercolors express such tenderness in this story of a father mouse and his young daughter enjoying a day in the forest together. From cover to cover, as Longtail swings Littletail playfully through the air, chases her through the clover, or follows her through a maze of tree trunks, the reader can hear her giggles blend into the soft background hum of the bumble bees, beetles, and other insects. All is peaceful, sunny, and loving in the forest.
Jonathan Emmett writes a story that skillfully and poetically develops the world of loving play from a child's perspective. Kids will understand Littletail when she realizes she can't run as fast as her father; they know how she feels when she can't hide well enough that he can't find her. However, they also will understand why she feels so proud when she can crawl into some small spaces her father can't fit. And, kids will definitely understand when Longtail says he will love her "always and forever."
The watercolor illustrations by Daniel Howarth build on the tone that Emmett creates. By painting expressive faces full of joy, realistic backgrounds complete with beetles and caterpillars, and greenery and soil so rich that they almost smell like the damp forest, he helps create this story that is fun, insightful, and sensitive.
Patricia Tauzer, COMMON SENSE
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