Children’s learning and creativity are closely connected with their wellbeing and sense of belonging. Early childhood researcher Ferre Laevers identifies wellbeing and involvement as important indicators that children are able to engage deeply in their experiences.
Sharing books is a time-honoured way for parents and caregivers to spend attentive time with children. It can strengthen their relationship while giving children ideas and language for understanding feelings, relationships and the wider world.
Choosing excellent books can be surprisingly difficult. In our family, we look for books that are beautifully illustrated, well written and genuinely interesting to the children. Some teach us about people, places, animals or relationships. Others are simply funny or absorbing. Some stretch children’s imaginations, while the most-loved become family favourites that both adults and children know almost by heart.
These three picture books communicate reassuring messages about being loved and connected to family.
1. The Invisible String
Cover image: Little, Brown Books for Young ReadersWritten by: Patrice Karst
Illustrated by: Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Best suited to: Ages 4–8
The Invisible String introduces children to the idea that people who love one another remain connected, even when they are apart.
The story explores separation, loneliness, sadness and loss through the comforting image of an invisible string joining people who love each other. The illustrations help children understand an idea that might otherwise feel quite abstract.
My four- and six-year-old granddaughters both enjoyed the book. It led to useful conversations about being apart during school and kindergarten, as well as the reassurance that being angry with someone does not make love disappear.
This book could be particularly helpful when a child is worried about separation, family changes or missing someone. However, it also refers to death, so some children may ask sensitive questions. An adult reading it for the first time may wish to look through it beforehand.
The publisher describes The Invisible String as an international bestseller and notes that it is used by parents, educators, therapists and social workers. Companion books explore friendship, grief and the loss of a pet.
2. Love
Cover image: Nosy Crow.
Written and illustrated by: Emma Dodd
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Paperback ISBN: 9780857639318
Best suited to: Ages 3–6
In Love, a mother rabbit and her young rabbit spend a sunny summer day together. Through gentle rhyming text and warm illustrations, the mother describes the many ways love is present in their everyday experiences.
The language is simple enough for young children, while the illustrations provide plenty to notice and discuss. My four- and six-year-old granddaughters talk about what is happening on each page and also enjoy looking through the book independently.
The book includes a QR code for Nosy Crow’s Stories Aloud feature. An adult can scan the code to play a professional audio reading of the story. My granddaughters particularly enjoy this extra feature.
This is a reassuring book for quiet shared reading or bedtime. Its message is clear and comforting without becoming complicated: children are loved during both ordinary moments and new experiences.
3. Kissed by the Moon
Cover image: Penguin Books Australia
Written and illustrated by: Alison Lester
Publisher: Viking, Penguin Books Australia
ISBN: 9780670076758
Best suited to: Birth to approximately 6 years
Written as a gentle, lyrical blessing, Kissed by the Moon expresses a mother’s hopes for her baby’s life. She wishes for the child to grow surrounded by love, wonder, courage and the beauty of the natural world.
The words carry the child through rivers, mountains, changing weather, animals and family experiences. Alison Lester’s detailed illustrations give older children plenty to examine, even though the soothing language also makes the book suitable for babies.
My granddaughters enjoy talking about the small details in the pictures. The scenes prompt memories of experiences they have already enjoyed and conversations about places they might explore in the future. Phrases such as “follow the rivers” and “wander the mountains” invite children to imagine a life filled with curiosity and adventure.
This would be a lovely bedtime book or gift for a new baby. Its quiet rhythm and affectionate message can be enjoyed differently as a child grows.
Kissed by the Moon won the children’s category of the 2014 Indie Book Awards. It was also shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards, the Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year, the Australian Book Industry Awards and the Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards.
Three Different Expressions of Connection
Each of these books approaches love and belonging differently. The Invisible String gives children an image for remaining connected across distance. Love finds affection in ordinary time spent together. Kissed by the Moon looks outward to the experiences and possibilities a parent hopes a child will enjoy.
No book will suit every child or every family. Reading together gives adults an opportunity to notice a child’s response, answer questions honestly and allow the conversation to develop at the child’s pace.
Which books have become favourites in your family? I would love to hear about the stories your children return to again and again.
Book Information and Further Reading
- Ferre Laevers and Bart Declercq: wellbeing and involvement in early childhood
- The Invisible String — Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Nosy Crow Stories Aloud
- Kissed by the Moon — Penguin Books Australia
- 2014 Indie Book Award winners
These reviews reflect our family’s experience of reading the books. This post is not sponsored and contains no affiliate links.