MoreThanWordsLK

I Will Love You Anyway by Mick Inkpen introduces the reader to an adorable sweatband-wearing pug.  This portly pooch cannot seem to behave.  He digs on the sofa, makes messes on the stairs and even steals socks!

His family tries to teach him manners.  But instead of being a good student, the pug runs away.  He continues his bad behavior by rolling in poo and even chasing cars!  Will this devilish dog be able to change his ways before it's too late?

I fell in love with the bug-eyed pug from the moment I saw the cover of the book.  Chole Inkpen's illustrations are adorable as well as emotionally captivating.  His expressions will put readers through a full range of emotions.  I almost grabbed a tissue several time while reading.

While I greatly enjoyed reading Mick Inkpen's debut title, I found the alternating rhyming scheme to be a bit complicated.  Some of the pages were in perfect rhyme while others were in slant rhyme.  This makes reading the story out loud somewhat challenging.  Not everyone can be Dr. Seuss.

I also have to admit that I really struggled with the ending.  Why would the pug continue to run away from the family that he so desperately loves?  Why has the family not considered enrolling the mischievous pup in obedience classes?  I feel that the story might send mixed signals to very young children.  They may end up thinking that they can continue to disobey their parents over and over again without any repercussions because they will still remain loved.

Overall, this book is a great read for children and animal lovers of all ages.  Being a fur mom to five rescue dogs and two cats, I can definitely relate to the theme of the story. You might even feel the urge to purchase sweatbands for your own fur babies.