The Longest, Strongest Thread

by Inbal Leitner

A richly illustrated story about a girl, a grandma and a very long thread. This book is in the format of a children's story, with a message for all ages. It takes a beautifully subtle and reassuring look at the anxiety of moving to a new home and country. Based on the author's own family experiences of moving countries and leaving loved ones behind, the story celebrates the strong ties between grandchild and grandparent.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2020

Reviews

[I _teach_muggles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving to a new place can be an extremely challenging and worrying time for all of us. This sweet narrative sees one little girl having to say goodbye to a very special Grandma.

A young girl is moving to a new country where it is so cold that the lakes will be frozen in winter. Before she leaves she goes to see her Grandma at her sewing studio to say goodbye. The girl is incredibly sad to be leaving her Grandma and has come up with all sorts of imaginative ways that Grandma can get to her quickly. As Grandma makes a coat, the young girl busies herself drawing a map, sewing an aeroplane and imagining a big magnet that can pull Grandma all the way to her. Through the raw emotions and heart break Grandma shows her granddaughter that they have the most important thing of all…the longest, strongest thread in the world and that is more than enough to keep the two together.

This is a super book that helps reduce the fears and anxieties that children may have when leaving a place and a loved one behind for something new and unknown. Even though friends and relatives may be far away, we still love them and they still love us. There is no distance that is too great to break a bond of love, especially if you have the longest, strongest thread.

Produced using a limited colour palette in shades of blue and yellow, the illustrations are sensitive and filled with emotion.

I can write from personal experience as I live in Melbourne, Australia and my wonderful nan lives in England. We regularly speak and the excitement and joy I hear in her voice when she picks up the phone is something very difficult to put into words. I can confidently say that my nan and I definitely share the ‘longest, strongest thread’.

Recommended for 5+.

[M Bangio · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young girl is helping to pack suitcases with her family to fly to a new home in a colder climate. She visits her Grandma in her beloved sewing studio to say goodbye. Filled with lovely and rich illustrations that include textures and layers, the girl spends her last visit to her grandmother's studio trying to process and accept the change. She is reassured by her grandmother and told not to worry, that a long, strong thread connects them. And of course, that Grandma will come to visit them in their new home when winter comes.
This is a beautifully illustrated and wonderfully simple message of love and enduring connection between generations.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Charlesbridge through Edelweiss+.
A young girl struggles as her family is moving away from where her grandmother lives. Her grandmother shares about the longest strongest thread - love. They will always be connected.
Sweet look at families moving apart. This will help a younger child process that love stays. The illustrations are softly colored to match the story.

[Children's Literature Centre at FSU · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Longest, Strongest Thread illustrates a beautiful relationship between Grandma and granddaughter. They both don’t want to say goodbye, but they are connected by a strong thread that could never break.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful sentiment and ideal for these strange days when so many people are missing someone special.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story about a family and child that moves away from a grandparent. Would be a good gift from grandparents for children who live geographically far, especially if this is a recent move.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.

[Anna Rosenkrands · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fin og rørende fortælling om tætte familiebånd.

[SamSamSam · Rating 4 out of 5]

the colors and textures here are AMAZING. Social emotional

[Steph]

Level/Turn: 2/2

Moving, Sewing, Grandmother/Granddaughter