if i was the sunshine
Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Loren Long

I am in love with this new picture book! Fogliano's sweet text about love is written in a pattern that will appeal to young readers, "If I was....and you were...I'd call you..." paired with Loren Long's gorgeous, color-bursting illustrations (spoiler: the very best one is on the page with the text "if I was the ocean and you were a boat, you'd call me wild" filled with enormous waves) is perfection. If you were in need of a perfect story, I'd hand you this one in a heartbeat.

The Forever Sky
Thomas Peacock, illustrated by Annette S. Lee

This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of two young brothers who are grieving the death of their beloved grandmother. Their uncle notices their grief and takes the boys to a meadow in the evenings. As they watch the stars night after night, they share stories and find comfort imaging that their grandmother, as well as other relatives who have died, is dancing in the Forever Sky. One evening they watched the northern lights and have a profound sense of their grandmother’s continuing presence. The story is simply told, but conveys comfort for children as well as adults.