Beloved 'Guess How Much I Love You' Series Expands with New Board Books for Young Learners

For over three decades, Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram's Guess How Much I Love You has been a cherished bedtime story, enchanting generations of children and their families with its heartfelt message of love. Now, the beloved Nutbrown Hares are venturing into new territory, starring in a series of board books designed to introduce fundamental concepts to their youngest fans, according to publisher Candlewick Press.

These new additions to the series aim to blend the comforting familiarity of the original story with early educational content, making learning an integral part of the cozy world of Big and Little Nutbrown Hare.

Introducing Core Concepts with Familiar Friends

The latest installment in this new board book series, Guess How Much I Love You: Shapes, is set to arrive on bookshelves on September 1, 2026. Candlewick Press states that this book will take young readers through a day filled with shape discovery, from a "warm circle sun" to "twinkling nighttime stars." This approach, the publisher suggests, helps children connect abstract concepts to tangible objects within a familiar narrative context.

For parents and educators, integrating familiar characters into early learning can be a powerful tool. Children often respond well to continuity and the comfort of well-known figures. The Nutbrown Hares, with their gentle interactions and expressions of affection, provide a reassuring framework for exploring new ideas. This can make the learning process feel less intimidating and more like an engaging adventure.

A Growing Collection for Early Development

Guess How Much I Love You: Shapes joins several other concept-focused board books already available or forthcoming. These include:

• Guess How Much I Love You: Counting (released May 5, 2026): This interactive board book encourages young children to count from one to five alongside Little Nutbrown Hare as he explores elements like dandelions, frogs, and stars. The publisher highlights its tactile nature, inviting children to "see and feel" the objects.
• Guess How Much I Love You: Colors (released May 5, 2026): In this title, Little Nutbrown Hare learns about primary colors by encountering a yellow butterfly, a blue bird, a red ladybug, and a green frog. Candlewick Press indicates it aims to captivate babies and toddlers while reinforcing color recognition.
• Out and About in 100 Words: A Guess How Much I Love You Book (released January 6, 2026): Geared towards ages 2-5, this book, illustrated by Anita Jeram, features Little Nutbrown Hare exploring various natural settings like a river, a farm, a pond, and a meadow. It introduces a broad vocabulary of named objects related to nature, offering a "simple presentation of named objects and sweetly inviting illustrations" for discovery.

Looking ahead, Candlewick Press has also announced Guess How Much I Love You: Opposites, slated for release on January 5, 2027. This upcoming title will explore concepts like high and low, hot and cold, and little and big through the hares' experiences, such as watching birds fly high and earthworms crawl low, or snuggling during a cold winter. The publisher notes it's designed to be a gentle invitation to discover opposites, suitable for both playtime and bedtime.

Why Board Books Matter for Young Learners

Board books are specifically designed for the youngest readers, typically babies and toddlers, and play a crucial role in early childhood development. Their durable construction—thick cardboard pages—makes them resilient to enthusiastic handling, chewing, and general wear and tear, which is essential for this age group. Beyond their robustness, board books offer several educational benefits:

• Durability: They withstand repeated reading and handling, making them ideal for curious hands.
• Safety: The sturdy pages are easy for small hands to turn, reducing the risk of paper cuts and tearing.
• Engagement: Often featuring bright, simple illustrations and minimal text, they help maintain a young child's attention span.
• Concept Introduction: They are excellent vehicles for introducing foundational concepts like colors, shapes, numbers, and basic vocabulary in an accessible way.
• Pre-Reading Skills: Sharing board books helps foster a love for books, develops listening skills, and introduces the idea of storytelling and narrative structure, all crucial pre-reading skills.
• Emotional Connection: Reading together creates a special bonding experience between child and caregiver, linking books with warmth and affection.

The Enduring Appeal of the Nutbrown Hares

The enduring popularity of Guess How Much I Love You lies in its universal theme of love and the relatable dynamic between Big and Little Nutbrown Hare. By integrating early learning concepts into this beloved world, Candlewick Press aims to provide a seamless transition for young readers from experiencing a story of love to discovering the world around them. This approach allows children to engage with educational content within a comforting and emotionally resonant context, potentially enhancing their receptiveness to new information.

For parents and teachers seeking resources that combine emotional warmth with foundational learning, these new board books offer an opportunity to revisit a classic while supporting early cognitive development. The series, according to Candlewick Press, ensures that while exploring shapes, colors, or numbers, children are also "assured that a comforting embrace awaits them at the end of each day."