Review: Guess How Much I Love You by, Sam McBratney

*As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney is a warm and heartfelt picture book that captures the quiet, tender side of love in a way that feels both simple and deeply meaningful. It’s the kind of story that doesn’t rely on big moments or dramatic plot, but instead focuses on a soft, familiar exchange that feels instantly relatable.

The story follows Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare as they try to express just how much they love each other. What begins as a playful back-and-forth—stretching arms wide, reaching as high as possible, and comparing distances—quickly becomes something more meaningful. Each attempt to measure love grows a little bigger, a little more imaginative, until it’s clear that love isn’t something that can really be measured at all.

One of the most appealing aspects of the book is its tone. Everything about it feels calm and reassuring. The dialogue is repetitive in a comforting way, making it especially well-suited for reading aloud, particularly at bedtime. There’s a rhythm to the exchange that feels soothing, almost like a quiet conversation winding down at the end of the day. That repetition also helps younger readers engage with the story, as they begin to anticipate and recognize the pattern.

What really stands out is how the connection between the two hares unfolds through their conversation. There’s a sense of playfulness mixed with reassurance, as Big Nutbrown Hare meets each of Little Nutbrown Hare’s declarations with one just a bit bigger, without ever overshadowing him. It creates a feeling of being heard and valued, showing how love can be both expressive and quietly supportive at the same time.

The illustrations complement the story beautifully, with soft, natural settings that mirror the calm tone of the text. The changing landscape—from open fields to a peaceful nighttime scene—adds a subtle sense of movement and time passing, leading the reader gently toward a quiet, cozy ending. The shift into night also reinforces the feeling that this is a story meant to settle into, rather than rush through.

What makes Guess How Much I Love You so enduring is its simplicity. It doesn’t try to define love in complicated terms. Instead, it shows how love can be expressed in small, thoughtful ways—through play, presence, and shared moments that feel meaningful even in their quietness.

By the end, the story leaves you with a sense of closeness and calm. It’s not just about how much the characters love each other, but about the way that love is expressed—patiently, playfully, and in ways that don’t need to be measured to be understood.

READ IT NOW!!