This post is sponsored by Disney Book Group. As a Mo Willems ambassador, I will be sharing some amazing things coming this year from one of my favorite authors!
One thing I’m very passionate about is developing a love of reading in children. I spent the majority of my time in the classroom teaching first grade and teaching kids how to read. I developed a love for children’s books myself. By the time I left teaching, I owned hundreds of children’s books. There are some authors who have become favorites and when they release a new book, I get a little giddy. The release of Because by Mo Willems is one of those moments!
If your family loves Mo Willems (author of the Pigeon series, Elephant and Piggie, and more amazing books), you have to check out the newest book. It’s a great story for the kids, but there’s a very important lesson for the entire family.
BECAUSE BY MO WILLEMS
There have been many moments in my life that have changed my entire life. Some were very obvious like getting married, having my babies, and losing my sister. But many were not huge milestones- they were smaller moments that have built upon each other. I can now see these moments have helped me become the person I am.
In the new book Because by Mo Willems, the story begins with Beethoven composing beautiful music which inspired Franz Schubert to write his own music.
Because Schubert composed his music, so much more happened!
In Because, we follow a young girl’s journey to stand center stage- from those first notes written by Beethoven that inspired Schubert that inspired an orchestra,to posters being made and a theater being prepared for a show that would go on to inspire a young child on her path.
As a lover of the arts with a child who is now showing interest in music, dance, and theater, the story appealed to me.
But the story goes so much deeper. It is truly the story of inspiration and connections that run through us all.
Because sometimes it’s the smallest moments that have the biggest impact.
Mo Willems shows us all (no matter how young or old) what it takes to make big things happen. Through gorgeous storytelling and beautiful illustrations by illustrator Amber Ren, I was reminded of how much time, dedication, passion, and hard work goes into creating the magic that we can find in our lives.
Big things might not happen overnight, but they’re worth all of the work it takes to get there. And when the big moment finally comes, it is magical.
It’s a life lesson I definitely want my children to learn. Sometimes things take a lot of hard work, but it will all be worth it in the end.
CELEBRATING BECAUSE MOMENTS
The book has another message that I love- it’s the idea that small decisions and small moments can add up to a huge impact on your own life and possibly the lives of others.
There are some things that quickly come to mind. My son’s baseball lessons are the first thing I think about. Sometimes he doesn’t feel like going but once he gets there, he’s usually glad he went. When he has great performances on the ball field, that’s when he understands how small things can add up to great things. Who knows what it will look like in a few years if he continues working on his skills and his passion.
Because he goes to lessons each week, he’s getting better at something he loves doing.
But it goes even deeper than that when we’re talking about his love of baseball. It started before him.
Because his father had a love for the game, his son was inspired to try playing the game. (Now they spend their nights on the field together with dad as assistant coach!)
The family connection there is one of my favorite things about our lives. Baseball is a thing that goes back a few generations so it’s something my son shares with his father and his grandfather.
Because grandad loved playing catch with his father, my son now runs the bases with a huge smile on his face.
MORE ABOUT BECAUSE BY MO WILLEMS
In case you’re not familiar with Mo Willems, he’s a number one New York Times best-selling author and illustrator. In Because, he composes a powerful symphony of chance, discovery, persistence, and magic in a moving tale of a young girl’s journey to center stage. Illustrator Amber Ren brings Willems’ music to life, conducting a stunning picture book debut. I can barely believe it’s her very first picture book. It’s absolutely gorgeous!
The book is now available and is recommended for ages 3-5. However, I think it’s a wonderful book for the entire family, no matter how young or old!
You can get a copy for your own bookshelves by clicking here to order yours.
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