I Love You Like a River

Nature-inspired similes convey a speaker’s immense adoration in Tillman’s latest poetic ode, whose sincere lines describe love as being like “the forest trees/ that keep the secrets of the breeze” and “the early morning mist/ that makes sure mountaintops are kissed.” Embracing a growing complexity, the verse uses sensorial descriptions of the environment to find the narrator’s feelings in “bird conversations” and more. Mixed-media artwork blends photorealism with surrealistic details; its ambient luminosity highlights varied children connecting with a caregiver or nature. As the book winds down, fortifying appreciations offer a direct reminder: “In this world full of love, I get to love you.” Ages 4–8. (May)