Sun Kisses, Moon Hugs - Hardcover

Author Susan Schaefer Bernardo and illustrator Courtenay Fletcher met in a local Mommy and Me class 12 years ago when their kids were tots now they are a dynamic duo committed to creating books to heal and inspire children of all ages! They indie published their first book Sun Kisses, Moon Hugs in 2012 to reassure children coping with loss and separation, which promptly led to a magical collaboration with LeVar Burton (Roots, Reading Rainbow, Star Trek) on The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm, a picture book to help families cope with trauma. The Rhino book has been read aloud by Michelle Obama and sent via rocket to the International Space Station for an innovative STEAM program called Storytime from Space. Their new picture book, The Big Adventures of Tiny House, is a celebration of tiny homes, sustainable living and following your heart to a life that is big and amazing, no matter what size you are. Upcoming releases include Bernardo's first novel Inspired (February 2018), a book intended to empower and encourage tween and teen girls, and a picture book biography of Theophile Steinlen entitled The Artist Who Loved Cats (Spring 2018).

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

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

I have found that adults often struggle with how to approach sad subjects with kids and struggle themselves with how to cope with loss. These gentle words and bright colorful images give kids and their adults a vocabulary to stay connected. I believe that we, the living, are life after death and this book is a gentle reminder of the beautiful life that connects us all. --Joanna L., Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner