All We Need is LOVE and a really soft pillow! Written by Peter H. Reynolds and his son Henry Rocket Reynolds. Scholastic, 2023. $24.99 ages 3 and up

 

"Poppy ... it occurred to me - 
    we need a pot to cook in 
    and a tub to bathe in. 

Brilliant, Little One. 
We'll have everything 
        we need! 

Love and ... "

Peter Reynolds writes feel-good stories. In his newest, he is joined by his young son, Henry Rocket. Poppy and Little One are sitting together when Little One wonders if there is anything his Poppy needs. Poppy says love; Little One suggests a 'really soft pillow'. That works - love and a really soft pillow should do it. Is that all? 

Little One is full of more ideas for material things. A roof would protect them from rain and sun. Yes, that's right - love, a pillow, and a roof. That should do it. Not quite. Walls will help keep the bugs at bay; water is absolutely essential. The list grows longer and the text offers repetitive phrases as each new need is proposed. 

The two remain content with the changes, and the list of needs that make life better. 

"Brilliant, Little One. 
We'll have everything 
     we need! 

Love and ... 

a bathtub, 
a cooking pot, 
chocolate, 
water, 
four walls, 
    a roof, 

and two really 
   soft pillows!" 

Still, they go on adding Little One's ideas for making life even more perfect than it already is. When a storm blows in, the two must find comfort in each other as they watch everything they have taken by that fierce wind. Only a tree anchors the two. All is lost! Or is it? 

The two have each other, and they have love ... and Little One has a soft pillow on Poppy's back! 

Sure to spark conversations about the most important needs we have - what do you think they are?