I Love You to the Moon and Back

“For the last six years, I have ended my night reading Moon and Back to my son. Thank you for making every night special.”

— Jim Foley, USAI Love You to the Moon and Back/Forever and a Day by Amelia Hepworth, illustrated by Tim Warnes(Little Tiger Press, 2015/2021)Good to Read for:calming down before bedtimesnuggling up togetherexpressing love to your childI have a deep-seated belief that picture books can change the world.

So let me start the New Year by saying: Picture Books are awesome! 

Yes, yes – I know I’m biased! But think about it. Quality picture books (the kind I take time to share on this blog):

provide an opportunity for emotional and physical connection

help you nurture the kids in your care.

Amid frantic, busy lives, bedtime stories can provide a lifeline.

They signal to your child: You are worth this time because you are loved.

 This week I’m featuring two of my own books - the international best-seller I Love You to the Moon and Back and the new companion title, I Love You Forever and a Day (both written by Amelia Hepworth).

“For the last six years, I have ended my night reading Moon and Back to my son,” writes customer Jim Foley from Alabama. “Thank you for making every night special.”

Occasional messages like this are so encouraging. They remind me how precious a quality picture book is – and how parents can use them to affirm their child: 

You are loved.

   

It’s been humbling (and heartwarming) to see Moon & Back grow in popularity and affection. Undoubtedly, being read by Hollywood actor Sebastian Stan as part of Save The Children’s “Save With Stories” initiative (at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic) helped it get noticed. But even before that, Moon and Back had become a treasured part of many families’ storytimes.

Moon and Back creates a calm atmosphere with gentle rhyme and peaceful nighttime scenes – making this a ‘a perfect ‘winding-down’ story’ before bed. [The Bookbag] It was previously only available as a board book. (While I don’t hold the view, I know many people consider board books only suitable for babies.) Now I’m delighted to say that a beautiful new hard-backed edition has just been published – complete with silver foil and a peep-through cover. It’s pretty special.

The scene where the cub is riding high on Big Bear’s back as they ‘climb the highest mountaintops’ is one of my favourites. (Closely followed by the penultimate snuggle scene, where the bears gaze lovingly at each other.) Despite the majestic vistas, there’s an intimacy to the images which speak of safety and security – thanks to Big Bear’s all-encompassing embrace.

   

The newly published companion book,  I Love You Forever and a Day (also written by Amelia Hepworth), also celebrates the love and laughter shared between parent and child. Again, there are tender and intimate scenes. But this time, the cool nighttime colours of Moon and Back are replaced by the warm colours of a summer’s day. 

 

If I could imagine 

a day just for you…

… The sun would be shining,

the sky would be blue.

   

Little Bear sits on Big Bear’s shoulders as they cross the meadow, then paw-in-paw they hop from boulder to boulder across the river.

They walk through flowering meadows, past thundering waterfalls and then back to the bear cave as the sun sets and the stars begin to appear – just in time for bed.

   

We’d snuggle together, 

and gently I’d say

I love you my small one – 

forever and a day.

 

Young children will identify with the bear cub’s exploration of the world and interactions with the big bear in both these soft, gentle stories. (With their nighttime endings, they lend themselves particularly well to bedtime readings.) 

Yes – their message is simple. 

But it is powerful and life-affirming.

You are loved.

A child who feels loved will grow into an empathic adult capable of giving and receiving love. In other words, an emotionally healthy individual.

Finding quality stories can be overwhelming. So stick with me.

I’ll guide you to some great picture books so you can choose with confidence and watch your child grow emotionally and relationally – ready to change the world!

   STORIES WORTH SHARINGI Love You Forever and a Day by Amelia Hepworth, illustrated by Tim WarnesGood to Read for:calming down before bedtimesnuggling up togetherexpressing love to your childText excerpts © 2015/2021 by Little Tiger Press | Illustrations © 2015/2021 by Tim WarnesCustomer image courtesy of @goldstage | Used by permissionGOOD TO READFor snuggling up with your child

I Love You to the Moon and Back by Amelia Hepworth & Tim Warnes

I Love You Forever and a Day by Amelia Hepworth & Tim Warnes

I Love You As Big As the World by David van Buren & Tim Warnes

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   “Very sweet to share with small, snuggly, just out of the bath toddlers.” – The Bookbag

“Fantastic book that tries to explain the unexplainable - the love a parent has for their child.”– Jon Nakapalau, Good Reads buy UK

Gift edition currently unavailable in the US.

For the board book edition, click here.

    BUY UK BUY US * I EARN COMMISSION FROM THESE LINKS #AD/AFFRELATED ARTICLESSOURCESI Love You to the Moon and Back by Amelia Hepworth, illustrated by Tim Warnes (Little Tiger Press, 2015)I Love You Forever and a Day by Amelia Hepworth, illustrated by Tim Warnes (Little Tiger Press, 2021) I Love You to the Moon and Back by Tim Warnes (thebookbag.co.uk) I Love You to the Moon and Back (goodreads.com)© 2022 BY TIM WARNES(UNLESS OTHERWISE ATTRIBUTED)****USE OF THIRD PARTY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL FALLS UNDER FAIR USE/FAIR DEALING PRACTICE.