I Love You Always and Forever

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.
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, equalling 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

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

Short and sweet, this tender tale reinforces a daddy’s endless love for his daughter. Little girls and their daddies will read this bedtime book over and over. A Valentine’s Day, Father’s Day, anyday book for the littlest mice and their keepers.
Lisa Rojany Buccieri, NEW YORK JOURNAL OF BOOKS

Jonathan Emmett writes a story that skillfully and poetically develops the world of loving play from a child’s perspective … The watercolor illustrations by Daniel Howarth build on the tone that Emmett creates … 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