A searchable database of books recommended by the CCBC.
(More information on CCBC book recommendations)
The Longest, Strongest Thread
CCBC Review:
The golden-haired, white protagonist of this quiet story loves her grandmother’s sewing studio. She loves to help choose fabric for Grandma’s projects, as well as a good, strong thread to sew it all together. More than that, though, she just loves Grandma. Soon the girl will be moving to a place far away, “where the lakes freeze in winter,” and she’s worried about the distance. To be safe, she draws Grandma a map to her new home, so that Grandma will be able to visit. Then, with a few scraps of fabric and three mismatched buttons, she sews a lopsided airplane for Grandma, too. Grandma senses the girl’s worry and reassures her. The two of them “are connected by the longest, strongest thread in the whole world. I love Grandma, and Grandma loves me.” It will be hard to say good-bye, but distance—even very great distance—cannot break the thread of love. And “when winter comes, and the lakes freeze,” Grandma will use her hand-drawn map to find her way to her grandchild. A limited color palette (blues and golds) visually connects child and grandmother, while the narrative offers gentle reassurance without downplaying the girl’s sadness and worry. ©2022 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Illustrated by Inbal Leitner
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 3-6
Age Range:
Babies/Toddlers (birth – 3)
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Format:
Picture book
Subjects:
Art and Artists
Families
Grandmothers
Maps and Geography
Moving
Worry
Publisher:
Charlesbridge
Publish Year: 2022
Pages: 32
ISBN: 9781623543594
CCBC Location: Picture Book, Leitner