The Longest, Strongest Thread; Inbal Leitner

Moving to a new place can be an extremely challenging and worrying time for all of us. This sweet narrative sees one little girl having to say goodbye to a very special Grandma.

A young girl is moving to a new country where it is so cold that the lakes will be frozen in winter. Before she leaves she goes to see her Grandma at her sewing studio to say goodbye. The girl is incredibly sad to be leaving her Grandma and has come up with all sorts of imaginative ways that Grandma can get to her quickly. As Grandma makes a coat, the young girl busies herself drawing a map, sewing an aeroplane and imagining a big magnet that can pull Grandma all the way to her. Through the raw emotions and heart break Grandma shows her granddaughter that they have the most important thing of all…the longest, strongest thread in the world and that is more than enough to keep the two together.

This is a super book that helps reduce the fears and anxieties that children may have when leaving a place and a loved one behind for something new and unknown. Even though friends and relatives may be far away, we still love them and they still love us. There is no distance that is too great to break a bond of love, especially if you have the longest, strongest thread. Produced using a limited colour palette in shades of blue and yellow, the illustrations are sensitive and filled with emotion.

I can write from personal experience as I live in Melbourne, Australia and my wonderful nan lives in England. We regularly speak and the excitement and joy I hear in her voice when she picks up the phone is something very difficult to put into words. I can confidently say that my nan and I definitely share the ‘longest, strongest thread’.

Recommended for 5+.