Sun Kisses, Moon Hugs

This touching tale is a back-and-forth between a child and a beloved adult who are unable to be together. As the child misses their dear one, they are lovingly reminded of all the walls that they can be connected even when they are apart."The sun will catch your kiss and use light speed, to forward it right on to me.""Love is in each sttar twinkling in space and every frostly snowflake licking your face.""Each grain of sand means I'm in reach..."The book ends with the a final message of hugs and kisses, telling the precious child "I'll always love you, Little One."While I think that this book would have been a wonderful read for before (and during) the times my husband and I have been away from the kids, I also think it can be used to explain when someone has passed away. From a (former) librarian's point of view, it was always difficult to find books that worked well to explain how, while death separates us it doesn't mean we can't be together in other ways, for smaller children. I found 2 or 3 that I kept on hand that used common images (like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly for instance) to explain death and leaving, but it wasn't easy to find things that explained and comforted without placating or being too cutesy to really help. And, especially with picture books and the under 6 years old crowd, it's a careful balance.This book hits that balance. If a parent, grandparent, or sibling dies, it can be hard to explain to a young child that, although this person they love is no longer physically with them, there is still a way to connect: hug a tree and feel your loved one hugging you back, look up at the moon and see the smile of your dear one returned, kisses sliding from heaven down the rainbow. Sun Kisses, Moon Hugs strikes a delicate balance between being a cutesy read and a heartwarming story that both comforts and gives a smile to the little one reading it.Long story short, I highly recommend this book, for kids under 6, who either are dealing with a separation of some reason (long term like divorce or short term like a business trip or deployment) or for the death of someone close to them.

All the books out there are centered around either divorce or death and my kid doesn't understand those concepts. This book allows for the explanation of loss with out defining it as someone whose died or bc of divorce. Ot addresses a concept that allows kids to cope with the loss as well by grounding them through the sun and the moon.

I'm a child psychologist and I have two boys (ages 5 & 10). Since the time the older son was little, I have been in the habit of putting magic kisses on their knees everyday before we say goodbye. They could then look at their knees during the day and be reminded that my love is always around and in them. Sun Kisses, Moon Hugs accomplishes the same "connective support structure" to little ones, but in lots of different ways and with beautiful imagery and colors. I read Sun Kisses, Moon Hugs to my 5 year old on his first day of kindergarten -- twice actually! He thought I wrote it because the concepts and imagery are all the sort of things we all say to our babies when reassuring them of our love and helping them to feel safe and secure in their little worlds while they explore away from us. This book accomplished two things. It serves as a supportive and therapeutic way for children to interpret and manage their feelings when they're away from us. It also promotes mindfulness practice in little ones, but encouraging them to look at natural phenomenon in the natural world and to understand that all of it connects all of us. It is also written at a level that is perfect for little ones to work on their reading skills. Sun Kisses, Moon Hugs is a book that is good for children, good for families and eventually, good for us all.

When I came across this book at Christmas time I couldn't resist buying it for my soon to be 15 year old daughter who lives with her father a few hours away. Although she and I talk, text, etc... her very busy life doesn't allow her to visit often. I always worry that she may not realize just how much I love and adore her. The words in this book simply say it all! When I gave her the book she fell in love with it as much as I did and knew exactly what I was trying to tell her.Just a few short months later my oldest daughter decided to move cross country at 20 years old. My heart was broken, she and I were closer than we'd ever been and I wanted to make sure she'd never forget how so very much I loved her. At that time the book had become a digital download and I immediately downloaded it to her Kindle. When she read it I saw tears in her eyes. I told her whenever (if ever, lol) she became homesick to read it and know that I was with her always. Thank you Susan and Courtenay for such a wonderfully simple yet moving book of unconditional love! <3Jenni

This is a charming picture book that teaches young readers that love is all around us. The author uses nature to provide examples of love reaching out to us. One can see love in the sun, the moon, the stars, grains of sand, the wind, and butterflies to name just a few.The book might be used to assuage the fears of children who suffer from separation anxiety, the trauma of divorce or grief at the loss of a loved one. While it is a beautiful message for any age, I especially recommend it to children in the six to ten age range. Fletcher's illustrations enhance the flow of the message and portray the story beautifully.

Absolutely delightful! I loved everything about this book. I am sure I will read it over and over to the Grandchildren. Wonderful thoughts, and beautiful illustrations.

beautifully illustrated with great ideas.

Beautiful little book, enchanting illustrations combined with living, kind words. I would recommend this book for children and adults, too.

Excellent resource for discussing grief/loss.

This book was so sweet, I wish I had a hard copy. I could see myself reading this with my girls all the time and I'm sure they would love it just as much.