Love You Forever
8.76 / 10 251K ratings
Classic- Language
- English
- Published
- 2007
- Publisher
- Firefly Books
- Pages
- 32
- ISBN
- 9781552979440
A mother's love for her child is a constant, enduring force, a quiet promise whispered in the dark. This story begins with a young woman holding her newborn son, singing a soft lullaby that pledges her love for a lifetime. As the boy grows from a rambunctious toddler into a rebellious teenager and finally a man with a home of his own, this ritual remains. Through every stage of life, no matter the challenges or the distance, the mother's devotion is expressed in her nightly song, a testament to an unbreakable bond.
This simple yet profound narrative explores the full circle of life and the unwavering nature of familial love. It captures the changing roles as a child grows and a parent ages, revealing how the act of caring is passed from one generation to the next. The story demonstrates that love is a legacy, a cyclical rhythm of care and affection that continues, promising that you are cherished forever.
This simple yet profound narrative explores the full circle of life and the unwavering nature of familial love. It captures the changing roles as a child grows and a parent ages, revealing how the act of caring is passed from one generation to the next. The story demonstrates that love is a legacy, a cyclical rhythm of care and affection that continues, promising that you are cherished forever.
- Mood
- Funny
Original edition
Love You ForeverOriginally published in 1986 English Demco Media
Other editions (79)
Listen to the summary Narrated summary
A mother held her new baby, rocking him gently back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. As she cradled him close, a soft melody escaped her lips, a whispered promise: "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, As long as I'm living my baby you'll be." This lullaby became the rhythm of their lives, a constant refrain against the backdrop of his growing years.
The baby grew, a whirlwind of energy who pulled books from shelves, emptied refrigerators, and even sent his mother's watch on an aquatic adventure down the toilet. "This kid is driving me CRAZY!" she would sometimes exclaim. Yet, each night, when the house was quiet and he was truly asleep, she would creep into his room, gently pick him up, and rock him, singing her tender song once more.
He grew into a nine-year-old, a boy who resisted dinner and baths, and sometimes, to his mother's exasperation, uttered "bad words" when Grandma visited. There were moments she felt she could sell him to the zoo! Still, the nightly ritual continued. She would steal into his slumbering world, lift his growing body, and rock him, her voice a soft hum of "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, As long as I'm living my baby you'll be."
Then came the teenage years, filled with strange friends, peculiar clothes, and music that made the whole house rumble. The mother often felt like she truly lived in a zoo with this wild, independent creature. But even then, under the cloak of night, she would slip into his room, carefully lift his now-heavy form, and rock him, the familiar tune a silent testament to her enduring love.
As he became a man and moved across town, starting a family of his own, the mother's love remained. Sometimes, she would drive across the city, a ladder strapped to her car, and climb through his window while he slept, just to hold him and sing her song. The years etched lines on her face and stole strength from her limbs, but never diminished the fierce affection in her heart.
Time, however, marches on. One day, the phone rang, and it was her, frail and old, asking him to come. He rushed to her side, finding her barely able to finish her beloved lullaby. In that moment, the roles reversed. He gathered his small, aging mother into his arms, rocking her gently, just as she had rocked him countless times before.
And as he held her, he sang the song, but with a new, profound meaning: "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, As long as I'm living my Mommy you'll be." Returning home, the man walked into the nursery where his own newborn daughter lay sleeping. He picked her up, held her close, and began to rock her, whispering the familiar, timeless promise: "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, As long as I'm living my baby you'll be." The circle of love, unbroken and eternal, continued.
The baby grew, a whirlwind of energy who pulled books from shelves, emptied refrigerators, and even sent his mother's watch on an aquatic adventure down the toilet. "This kid is driving me CRAZY!" she would sometimes exclaim. Yet, each night, when the house was quiet and he was truly asleep, she would creep into his room, gently pick him up, and rock him, singing her tender song once more.
He grew into a nine-year-old, a boy who resisted dinner and baths, and sometimes, to his mother's exasperation, uttered "bad words" when Grandma visited. There were moments she felt she could sell him to the zoo! Still, the nightly ritual continued. She would steal into his slumbering world, lift his growing body, and rock him, her voice a soft hum of "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, As long as I'm living my baby you'll be."
Then came the teenage years, filled with strange friends, peculiar clothes, and music that made the whole house rumble. The mother often felt like she truly lived in a zoo with this wild, independent creature. But even then, under the cloak of night, she would slip into his room, carefully lift his now-heavy form, and rock him, the familiar tune a silent testament to her enduring love.
As he became a man and moved across town, starting a family of his own, the mother's love remained. Sometimes, she would drive across the city, a ladder strapped to her car, and climb through his window while he slept, just to hold him and sing her song. The years etched lines on her face and stole strength from her limbs, but never diminished the fierce affection in her heart.
Time, however, marches on. One day, the phone rang, and it was her, frail and old, asking him to come. He rushed to her side, finding her barely able to finish her beloved lullaby. In that moment, the roles reversed. He gathered his small, aging mother into his arms, rocking her gently, just as she had rocked him countless times before.
And as he held her, he sang the song, but with a new, profound meaning: "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, As long as I'm living my Mommy you'll be." Returning home, the man walked into the nursery where his own newborn daughter lay sleeping. He picked her up, held her close, and began to rock her, whispering the familiar, timeless promise: "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, As long as I'm living my baby you'll be." The circle of love, unbroken and eternal, continued.
What other readers say
Liked
Many readers are deeply moved by this book, often describing it as incredibly sweet and a powerful catalyst for tears. It is widely praised for its heartfelt depiction of a parent's unconditional and everlasting love for their child, celebrating the enduring bond that transcends age and life stages. The recurring refrain within the story is frequently highlighted as a particularly endearing and memorable element, resonating with parents who recognize the profound sentiment that their children will always be their "babies." For many, the book serves as a beautiful allegory for the journey of parenthood and the bittersweet experience of watching children grow, making it a cherished read for new parents and a nostalgic reflection for those with older children.
Disliked
Despite its popularity, a significant number of reviewers find the book to be unsettling, creepy, or even disturbing. Critics often point to the mother's persistent actions throughout the child's life as an invasion of privacy and a disregard for personal boundaries, especially as the child matures into an adult. The literal interpretation of these actions, such as physical acts of affection while the child is asleep, is a major source of discomfort for many, leading to descriptions of the mother as "stalker-like." Some reviewers also question the narrative's portrayal of affection only being shown when the child is unconscious, suggesting a potentially dysfunctional dynamic where the mother struggles with her child's waking behavior. Additionally, criticisms extend to the book's illustrations, which some deem hideous, and the writing style, which is sometimes described as repetitive or awkward.
In short
Ultimately, this book is highly polarizing, eliciting strong emotional responses ranging from profound tenderness to deep unease, making it one of the most debated titles in children's literature. It often resonates more deeply with adults, particularly parents, who may connect with its allegorical message about enduring love, even if they interpret the specific actions metaphorically. Readers who appreciate sentimental narratives and are willing to overlook or reinterpret potentially literal oddities will likely find it touching. However, those who prioritize realistic portrayals of family relationships, clear boundaries, or a more conventional narrative style may find it problematic and unsettling. It is a book that consistently sparks discussion about the nature of parental love and its expression across generations.
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