Book Review for Parents: The Invisible String by Patrice Karst

If you’re a parent looking for a gentle, reassuring way to help your child navigate separation, anxiety, grief, or big transitions, The Invisible String by Patrice Karst is a wonderful resource, one we often recommend in play therapy.

What the Book Is About?

The Invisible String introduces the idea that we are all connected to the people we love by an unseen “string”—a metaphor for emotional connection that remains strong, even when we are apart. Through simple storytelling and warm illustrations, children learn that love isn’t dependent on being physically together.

Why It’s Helpful for Children?

This story can be incredibly powerful for children who experience:

• Separation anxiety (starting school, bedtime routines, parents returning to work)

• Transitions or changes (moves, divorce, new routines)

• Loss or grief (the book gently validates that love continues even when someone is no longer physically present)

• Everyday worries about being away from loved ones

In play therapy sessions, this book often opens the door for children to express fears and ask questions they may not know how to put into words.

Why Parents Love It?

Parents appreciate The Invisible String because it:

• Offers clear, comforting language kids understand

• Encourages healthy emotional expression

• Provides a shared metaphor you can return to during tough moments (“Remember our invisible string?”)

• Helps build a sense of safety, connection, and resilience

This story becomes a tool you can use long after reading the last page.

How to Use It at Home?

To reinforce the message, you might:

• Create a craft where your child draws their “invisible strings” to loved ones

• Use the metaphor during transitions (“Your string is still connected to me while you’re at school”)

• Revisit the story during bedtime routines or before new experiences

• Encourage your child to notice moments when they “feel their string”

Final Thoughts:

The Invisible String is more than a book, it’s an emotional anchor for children. Whether your child is facing big changes or simply adjusting to daily separations, this story offers a comforting reminder that love stays with us, no matter where we are.

Content developed with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI language model by OpenAI. Adapted for this website by Humanistic Therapy Hub.