Book Review: I Love You to the Moon and Back by Grace Hawkins. A book for children.

I Love You to the Moon and Back is a tender, beautifully illustrated story that helps children gently explore love, loss, and remembrance. Through the characters Moon and Star, young readers are guided to understand big feelings after the disappearance of their friend Sunshine. Written in gentle rhyme, the book balances comfort with honesty, offering families a way to talk about grief in language children (ages 3–8) can connect with.

The story also includes a thoughtful activity page for children to draw a Moon, Sun, or Star in memory of someone special, creating space for personal reflection and healing.

Author Grace Hawkins, who lives by the seaside, was inspired to write this book after a close loved one lost someone to suicide, and found it hard to navigate the topic with the children in the family. Originally created as a poster for children’s bedrooms, the story evolved into a book over two years ago. Her words offer families a soft light in difficult conversations, reminding us that some connections never fade.

A soothing read for bedtime or quiet reflection, I Love You to the Moon and Back is both a story and a source of comfort for children navigating grief.