I absolutely loved this book for three reasons. First, my favorite part of this book was the illustrations. They top any other children’s book I have read because they are extremely whimsical, bold, colorful and full of life. The illustrations of the characters especially are outstanding because their facial expressions go along perfectly with the story, and are exaggerated in order to highlight their spirits. I love the main character, Norbert the elephant, because he is relatable to so many children who struggle with everyday problems and insecurities. I also love Norbert’s mother in the story because she is a great example of a loving, supportive, and comforting parent. Lastly, I enjoyed the author’s writing because it was engaging throughout the story. Several words are italicized for emphasis, and all of Norbert complaints about his problems to his mom are typical problems that any child can relate to at some point in their life. Furthermore, I like how no matter how great Norbert tries makes his peers look, his mom always responds with, “I’d choose you.” The big idea of this story is to give children confidence and comfort. This book is a great read for any struggling children who lack self-worth and who need compassion. ( )

I’d Choose You by John Trent is an illustrated story that can both show parents how to encourage their children as well as remind children that everyone can have their bad days—even when you get to ride a roller coaster to school.

Nothing is going right for Norbert the elephant from sitting by himself on the ride to school to Heidi the hippo falling in his mashed potatoes and being left out of the ball game. After school, his mother informs him that even though he thinks there are lots of kids at his school that are better than he is, she would choose him out of them all.

This is a fun story with lively illustrations that can be a useful tool for parents as well as an entertaining book for kids. We all need reminders from time to time on how to encourage our kids (and each other) in different ways. I wish Trent had come up with a different ending, however. Ending the book with Heidi the hippo waiting outside I think was a little inappropriate for the overall tone of the book. I would still recommend this book.

I received this book free from the publisher in order to read and give an honest review. ( )

Norbert is having an especially rough day. “It’s the worst day of my life,” he said. He had to sit by himself on the way to school, sit with Heidi the Hippo at lunch, (she thinks she is Norbert’s girlfriend), and does not get to play baseball with his friends. Norbert is definitely having a bad day. Mom tries to comfort a tearful Norbert but he thinks one of his friends is more deserving of a hug, another of Mom’s cheers and a third is actually someone special while a forth has the exciting future. Mom is trying to comfort Norbert with what the author calls the “5 Blessings.” Norbert’s mom tries to give those to Norbert through her hugs, cheers, a “you’re special” medal, help for a wonderful future and help understanding that he is special in God’s eyes – always.

This is a cute way for children and parents to connect and value each other as they read the story. All of us, at some point, shrug off the affirmations we receive just as Norbert does in I’d Choose You. Mr. Trent uses five blessings from the Old Testament in this tale to show how God loves us just the way we are. He explains all of this in the first pages of his book. The illustrations are colorful renditions of wild animals that are cute and help move the story. Children will be delighted when they see Heidi the Hippo who believes she is Norbert’s girlfriend (Norbert denies this), or Puffy the Panda in his suspenders and blue jeans, Ralph the Rhino as he dives into the pool or Florence the Flamingo twirling on the ice, and Norbert, the star, who doesn’t think he deserves what is mother offers him. This is a fun, reader-to-me book, that will help parents and children connect each time they read I’d Choose You together.

Note: received from Net Galley, courtesy of the publisher ( )