Review by Kirkus Book Review
An invisible, enduring thread connects parent and child through the youngster's lifetime. A family of three welcomes a new baby. One of the parents rocks the infant to sleep and ties a magical thread to the baby's finger, keeping them connected. The thread stretches as the child grows into a toddler; it provides comfort as the little one enters kindergarten. Eventually it reaches long and far as the not-so-little-anymore child leaves for college. The thread, of course, stays strong through knots and tangles, grief, and heartbreak until eventually that former child marries and has a child, and the thread extends to wrap around the new baby's finger. Told in the first person from the parent to the child, this story conveys deep feelings that will resonate with any caregiver; it will also comfort little readers. The tale doesn't shy away from acknowledging difficult topics (arguments between parent and child, the death of a grandparent), yet it still reassures youngsters that a loving adult will be there through it all. The illustrations depict common life scenes, almost like a highlight reel from a person's life: school, romances, heartbreak, the start of a new generation. Soft watercolor and gouache images show the family's expressive faces, a portrait of frustration, sadness, and joy. The main characters present white; the grown child's spouse is tan-skinned. A sweet, tangible explanation of love that reaches through generations. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
