Welcome to Litsy!

“Sometimes we all have to do things we don't want to do... even if they seem strange and scary at first.“

This book provides a comforting way to discuss feelings of anxiety, fear, or separation. This could help students share and express their emotions about school or being away from home, teaching them to cope in healthy ways. It also could be used as a tool to build empathy and connection among students.

This book is a heartwarming children's picture book that was published in 1993 and earned the Caldecott Medal. This story talks about a young raccoon, Chester, who is nervous about starting school. His mother's special way of reassuring him is by giving him a kiss in the palm of his hand. This book is celebrated for its message about separation and love.

Book read to Henry 📚

A beautiful & touching slice-of-life picture book set in Suzhou during Chinese New Year, when a father who works far away comes home for his annual visit. Winner of a literary prize in China as well as making the list of NYT 10 Best Illustrated Children‘s Books in 2011. Translator unknown.

According to Leonard Marcus (in Pictured Worlds), close-up portraits of family members are a rare illustration choice in Chinese picture books, making “a striking statement about the value of an ordinary individual‘s thoughts and feelings.”

An emotional scene portrayed with such delicacy: the father is leaving once again for another year of construction work far away and the mother has turned her head to hide her anguish.

[from the back matter]: There are over 100 million migrant workers in China, many of whom work hundreds or sometimes thousands of miles away from home, returning only once each year, for just a few days, at New Year‘s.

The moment when the mother tells her little racoon that if he ever misses her to put his palm with the kiss up to his face and remember that his mom loves him and is always with him.