Sun Kisses, Moon Hugs - Softcover

Susan Bernardo has been writing poetry and stories since she could hold a crayon! She also holds her BA in English from UCLA, MA from Yale, and teaching credentials from Pepperdine. A former language arts teacher, Bernardo facilitates creativity workshops for adults and stays in close touch with her own inner flower child by dancing, raising cats and chickens, sculpting, painting, tide pooling and taking nature hikes with her two sons.Bernardo co-authored The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm (a picture book to help children cope with grief and trauma) with LeVar Burton. She is a published author - her work appears in All We Can Hold: Poems of Motherhood and The Cancer Poetry Project 2 anthologies. About the Illustrator: Courtenay Fletcher, the illustrator of The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm and Sun Kisses, Moon Hugs, loves using images to tell a story - whether it is through photography, illustration or graphic design. She attended UC Berkeley, received her BFA from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and embarked on an exciting career as an art director in NYC and Chicago, eventually landing back home in California, where she lives with her family, a rescued mutt and a collection of tikis. She considers her daughter to be a constant source of inspiration. Bernard and Fletcher recently released a third book, The Big Adventures of Tiny House.

There are a number of books written for children to try to help them through the bumpy passage of separation, divorce, or loss. I like Sun Kisses, Moon Hugs, by Susan Schaefer Bernardo and Courtenay Fletcher (2017, Inner Flower Child Books). This lovely picture book encourages children to explore the nature of love. The message is: No matter how far apart we are, I will always find a way to tell you I love you. Have tissues handy; this sweet and poignant message will resonate deeply with everyone. --Amy Dickinson, as appeared on June 3, 2018 in the Ask Amy syndicated advice column in 150+ newspapers

Through delightful question and answer dialogue accompanied by vibrant, engaging illustrations, the authors capture the curiosity and fears of childhood with loving reassurances. The intertwining of nature and storytelling is nicely done and adds to the feeling of parental love knowing no bounds. This book will easily become a bedtime favorite for children of any age and really should be a part of every home library. Beautifully done! --Stacey M, MLIS, Children's Librarian

Why I like this book: Sun Kisses, Moon Hugs is pure poetry and a visual feast for the eyes. Written and illustrated by two friends, Susan and Courtenay have taken a sad subject about separation and created a beautiful consoling book for children. It is written in dialogue, but is very lyrical and inspirational. It is the perfect book to use with children when they are dealing with separation from a parent because of deployment or job, loss, illness, divorce, and tragedy. The dialogue in the book gives kids the vocabulary to feel connected and to feel the presence of a loved one and it s all done through signs of nature. The illustrations are big, vibrant and breathtaking, and include children from all cultures. The book is simply beautiful! --Patricia Tilton, ChildrensBooksHeal website