My daughter loves to dance. Not a day goes by that we are not dancing around the house to one song or another. I’m sure she gets it from me, since I am usually dancing while I cook, wait in line, or drive the car. To feed our love of dance and movement, I decided to gather some of our favorite  children’s books about dancing. I hope your little dancers enjoy them as well!

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How do your kids deal with separation? Being apart is something that all families will have to deal with at some point. Some kids stay with a caretaker or daycare teacher while their parents are at work. Other kids may be home with a parent, but someday have to separate when they go off to school. Some children have parents who live in different homes, and have to split their time. All of these situations can be difficult for both the parents and kids to deal with. So I am happy to share some of the best children’s books about separation that have helped my daughter and I to cope when we have to be apart.

Standard Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission from purchases you make through the links in this post. I received copies of some of these books in exchange for my honest review. These are marked with a *. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

In My Heart*

Written by Mackenzie Porter and illustrated by Jenny Lovlie

This sweet board book follows a mother and daughter as they go about their days at work and school. As they start the day together, the mother reminds herself that they are never apart, even if they are not together. The sweet rhyming text and heartwarming illustrations show how the mother thinks about her daughter throughout the day. At the end of the day, she reassures her daughter of the same message from earlier in the book: that they are always in each other’s heads and hearts, keeping them tied together.

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The Kissing Hand

Written by Audrey Penn and illustrated by Ruth Harper

In this sweet, sentimental story, a little raccoon named Chester is not ready to go to school. His mother tells him about a family secret called the Kissing Hand, which can help him to ease his fears. This simple action reassures him of her love, no matter where he is. And he offers the same reassurance back to her. The beautiful illustrations bring the heartwarming story to life, making this a classic for parents whose children are heading to school for the first time. My daughter and I frequently use our kissing hands when we have to be apart and it is truly helpful.

The Invisible String

Written by Patrice Karst and illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

This book was recommended to me by a children’s therapist, and it has been really helpful. In this story, when two young children get scared during a rainstorm, they run to their mother in the living room. They tell her that they are scared and they want to be close to her. She reassures them that they are always connected, even when they are apart. She explains to them that we have invisible strings tying us to those that we love and keeping us connected, even while separated. This visual for remaining connected can not only help kids with being separated from parents during the day, but can also help them when a loved one passes away. This was extremely helpful to our family when my uncle passed away, who my daughter was very close to.

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There is a lot in the news about immigration and refugees, and these can be difficult topics to explain to kids. This list of children’s books about refugees and immigration, are a great way to introduce these concepts to young ones, and inspire them to open their hearts and minds to new friends and new opportunities.

Standard Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission from purchases you make through the links in this post. I received copies of these books in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Refuge

Written by Sandra le Guen and illustrated by Stephanie Nicolet

This beautiful book was originally published in France, and was translated by Daniel Hahn. The story follows a young girl named Jeannette who tells her parents about a new girl in school. The new girl speaks a different language, so the two of them communicate through their hands and their artwork. Eventually, Jeannette learns that her name is Iliana. She also learns about the journey that Iliana’s family has taken to get there. Throughout the story, the girls share a love of the sky, and Iliana shares how the sky and the stars helped her during their journey, and how it connects them today. This inspiring story is a great way to teach kids to open their hearts to new friendships and learn from those who are different from them.

From Far Away

Written by Robert Munsch and Saoussan Askar and illustrated by Rebecca Green

When Saoussan Askar was a young girl in elementary school, she wrote a letter to Robert Munsch about her life as an immigrant. Together, they created this book which was first published in 1995. The story shares some of the things that Saoussan faced leaving her native Lebanon and moving to a new country. From not understanding the language and traditions to feeling lonely and out of place, Saoussan faces the same trials that many immigrant children face. This is a great way to introduce young children to the hurdles that immigrant children face, and how they can help. The back of the book includes an update on the young author and the life she has lived since first publishing this book.

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The Dress and the Girl

Written by Camille Andros and illustrated by Julie Morstad

This book follows the journey of a young girl and the dress that her mother made for her. She wore it every day while they did the same things around home, but they both longed for an extraordinary adventure. When the little girl’s family immigrates to America from Greece, the dress goes with her, but it gets left in a trunk once they arrive. The trunk with the dress travels around the world, visiting many countries and many people. Eventually it finds itself in a shop window, where the same woman and her own daughter find the dress and take it home. The mother is immediately reminded of all the memories that she had with the dress, connecting her to the life she had before. This story is a comforting tale of connection and passing things from generation to generation.

Migrations: Open Hearts Open Borders

Edited by the International Centre for the Picture Book in Society

This compilation of bright and colorful postcards features a selection of artwork sent from children’s book illustrators all over the world to an exhibition entitled Migrations. This project aimed to show support for migrants all over the world who face difficult circumstances trying to find a safer place to live. The images throughout the book are paired with messages of support and solidarity, and are separated into different sections: Departures, Long Journeys, Arrivals, and Hope for the Future. The back of the book includes information about each of the illustrators featured in the book.

Lilah Tov Good Night

Written by Ben Gundersheimer (Mr. G) and illustrated by Noar Lee Naggan

This beautifully illustrated tale follows a family as they leave their home for a new one. As they travel, the young girl says “Lilah Tov” to all of the creatures and sights that they see along the way. The soothing rhyming text and beautiful illustrations remind the reader of the beauty in the world, no matter where you live. As the family settles into a new home, the gentle story lulls little readers to sleep as well.

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