Painting the Sky with Love
What’s inside...
A child flings open her arms to the sky, 'painting it' with love. Hearts cascade and float and bounce down, while at the same time, people looking up at the sky open their hearts. This surreal, glorious expansiveness tapers down to tiny moments of love and kindness. Painting the Sky with Love is bursting with joy. Radiant art from Tatiana Gardel fills the pages, and hearts will be lifted as each page is turned. In a world that often feels heavily weighed down by hate, this celebratory embrace of love and tenderness can offer some welcome warmth.
Age
2-5
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What did you feel when the characters painted their sky? How would you paint your sky if you had the chance?
How do the different colors in the sky change the way you feel? Which color is your favorite and why?
What do you think the sky represents for each character in the story?
How do the characters solve their problems together in the book? Can you think of a time when you worked together with someone to solve a problem?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to use their imagination by asking them to describe or draw their own sky with unique colors or elements.
Validate all emotions and interpretations your child expresses, reaffirming that their thoughts and feelings are important.
Highlight the themes of teamwork and cooperation by drawing parallels between the characters’ experiences and real-life situations your child may face.
Ask your child to think about what each color in the sky makes them feel, fostering emotional awareness and vocabulary expansion.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The story vividly illustrates the protagonist expressing compassion towards their friends' differing feelings and viewpoints, especially when collaborating on an art project.
Real-World Application: Children learn to acknowledge and respect the feelings of others, which can lead to enhanced peer relationships and collaborative skills.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Expression
Explanation: Through the various characters designing a mural together, the book showcases the importance of self-expression and embracing one's creativity.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to engage in artistic endeavors and express themselves creatively in school projects or during leisure activities.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: As the characters work together to create a beautiful mural, the story emphasizes the value of teamwork and collective problem-solving.
Real-World Application: This can be applied directly in group activities at school, teaching children to value each other’s input and work cohesively.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: The characters face challenges in completing their project but continue to strive and succeed, showcasing the virtue of perseverance.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of continuing effort in their tasks, whether it be in academics, sports, or personal goals.
Example Lesson: Appreciation of Diversity
Explanation: The book celebrates the diverse ideas and approaches by each character, highlighting the beauty of diverse perspectives in creating something unique.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to appreciate and celebrate differences among their peers, fostering an inclusive environment at school and beyond.