Unwrapping...
Authored by Susan Schaefer Bernardo
Illustrated by Courtney Fletcher
Ages 3+
Now in Paperback
Unwrapping some gorgeous illustrations for you...
About the book...
Authored by Susan Schaefer Bernardo
Illustrated by Courtney Fletcher
Ages 3+
Now in Paperback
Unwrapping some gorgeous illustrations for you...
About the book...
This sweet story will tug at your heartstrings for sure. It oozes love from page to page as questions are answered by a parent to a child about missing her so when she is gone away. This book would be ideal to read to a child when a family is going through a divorce, someone they love is travelling afar, grieving after a death, experiencing a long-term illness, perhaps a deployment to another country, or any type of trauma really, that keeps members separated for a long length of time.
The worried child is informed of different ways that he can connect even though his loved one is physically not there beside him. His separation anxiety and sadness is soothed by such sweet words as:
"Ahh, but then we can send each other kisses by dawn. When you open your eyes and see the sun rise, just do this... blow me a kiss!"
The sun will catch your kiss and use light speed to forward it right on to me. I'll send a million kisses back your way. You'll feel my love in each warm ray.
"And you know what else is true? Every ladybug and butterfly, each dandelion and daisy that catches your eye or flutters by is saying that I'm crazy about you."
"Throw your arms around a tree... I'll hug you and you'll hug me. "
The author infuses loads of love into nature and helps the child see the many opportunities where love can be shown and exchanged: by the grains of sand on the beach cuddling you, by the stars twinkling in the sky and blowing kisses to each other that slide down rainbows into each other hearts thus bonding us together.
The book has a powerful message of always being there for one another no matter where they might be. The illustrations are vibrant, bold and beautiful, driving that powerful message home. Home of course is where your heart is. I like the fact that children of many cultures are included in the story. The book offers comfort, hope, emotional security and peace to a little one who is struggling with the absence of their beloved adult who is missing in their life.
As a 5th generation Californian and a granddaughter of a pioneer homesteader, the Golden State has always been my home. I grew up spending Summers hiking through the Siskiyou National Forest, riding horses and learning to appreciate my family’s independent spirit and gift for storytelling.
The worried child is informed of different ways that he can connect even though his loved one is physically not there beside him. His separation anxiety and sadness is soothed by such sweet words as:
"Ahh, but then we can send each other kisses by dawn. When you open your eyes and see the sun rise, just do this... blow me a kiss!"
The sun will catch your kiss and use light speed to forward it right on to me. I'll send a million kisses back your way. You'll feel my love in each warm ray.
"And you know what else is true? Every ladybug and butterfly, each dandelion and daisy that catches your eye or flutters by is saying that I'm crazy about you."
"Throw your arms around a tree... I'll hug you and you'll hug me. "
The author infuses loads of love into nature and helps the child see the many opportunities where love can be shown and exchanged: by the grains of sand on the beach cuddling you, by the stars twinkling in the sky and blowing kisses to each other that slide down rainbows into each other hearts thus bonding us together.
The book has a powerful message of always being there for one another no matter where they might be. The illustrations are vibrant, bold and beautiful, driving that powerful message home. Home of course is where your heart is. I like the fact that children of many cultures are included in the story. The book offers comfort, hope, emotional security and peace to a little one who is struggling with the absence of their beloved adult who is missing in their life.
"No matter how far apart we are, I will always find ways to tell you I love you...""Hugs by moon, kisses by sun,I'll always love you, little one."
Storywraps rating... 5+++ HUGS!!!!!
About the author/ illustrator...
Author Susan Schaefer Bernardo is a published poet who has a book on the International Space Station (The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm, co-written with LeVar Burton)! She believes in the healing power of creativity and nature, and frequently enjoys both with her two sons and a scruffy terrier named Poppy.
Illustrator Courtney Fletcher
"Stroll through life with a happy heart and an open mind!"
As a 5th generation Californian and a granddaughter of a pioneer homesteader, the Golden State has always been my home. I grew up spending Summers hiking through the Siskiyou National Forest, riding horses and learning to appreciate my family’s independent spirit and gift for storytelling.
I attended UC Berkeley and received my BFA from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.
When I started my creative career, it was working as an Art Director in advertising. As time went by though, I found myself less and less interested in selling products I didn’t necessarily believe in. After a bit of soul-searching, I picked up my camera and became a photographer. I also began designing and illustrating book covers for publishers in NYC. My creative journey took me down many interesting paths and kept me inspired.
Sun Kisses, Moon Hugs by Susan Bernardo, was the first chance I had to explore the world of children’s picture book illustration and it was pure joy from start to finish! As luck would have it, the book found its way into the hands of LeVar Burton at Reading Rainbow and we were soon hired to work with him on his first children's book, The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm. That beautiful book will be heading to the International Space Station at the end of the year as part of the Story Time From Space program. It also won a 2015 IPPY Gold Award.
Needless to say, I've found my true creative calling, which definitely makes my heart and mind happy.
When I’m not busy illustrating books, I enjoy getting outdoors, taking road-trips with my family, visiting museums, listening to old jazz, and daydreaming about time-travel…and books in space!
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