So Loved: A Treasured Book of Love (Dual Set) product reviews

This is the first time I have found a storybook that is bundled with a board minibook specially for babies. It is always difficult for parents trying to read to a preschooler when baby wants part of the action: it can result in tears as the little one grabs a page, ripping it and generally disrupting the older child's enjoyment This is the perfect solution: baby has his or her very own copy. It is the same book, simplified for the younger child and presented in sturdy board format rather than as fragile pages. Both children are happy and the stress is banished! What an absolutely wonderful concept.

The story is the same in both books. The theme is one of total love of parents for their child, an important message for any child who may not realise the extent of the commitment made by the adult family members to their children. "Parents" are not just biological mums and dads; they include adoptive parents, extended family like grandparents, and often foster parents. In fact, anyone who plays a role in caring for a child. Knowing they are special to their significant adults is a vital factor in children's development and acceptance of self.

Miss Three was delighted that she and Mr Six Months each had their own copy. It saved arguments, and of course she is now at the age where she respects books and loves to follow the story. The covers of both books are identical which is useful as they can be shelved together. However, the format is different. There are more illustrations in the larger book, and the text is more complicated and written in rhymed couplets so the older child can join in. At the start of the book there is a page that can be completed by the older child (with assistance if needed) - it includes details like name and physical characteristics. There is also a page for the person who gave the book to the child to add their name. This makes the copy really personal. The endpapers of the full-sized book are decorated with small illustrations from the story; these are useful for quizzing the child on the names for the different creatures who are the stars of the book.

Mr Six Months enjoyed "his" book too. He could lie on the floor and look at the illustrations. The words are simpler than those in the big book and there are no end papers; the story starts and ends on the inside covers! He flicked through the pages as the story was being read and really seemed to be following it along. Reading is so important for children; it is never too soon to start.

Although the book does not include any human children, the content is just as relevant to them as it is to the different creatures who appear in the illustrations. The examples are universals - the beauty of tiny fingers, a baby's soft skin (or fur - or feathers), the unconditional love of the parent for the child, and the way that every new addition to a family is unique and precious. They carry a special affirmation for every child.