Books Like Is Was
Families who loved Is Was by Deborah Freedman often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Families who loved Is Was by Deborah Freedman often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is struggling to let go of a fun day, or when they are showing anxiety about the inevitable changes in their routine and environment. It serves as a gentle emotional anchor for children who find transitions difficult or who are mourning the end of a special moment. Through a lyrical exploration of nature, the story demonstrates that while things change, they are never truly gone, they simply transform into something new. Using the rhythmic interplay of is and was, the book follows a small child through a day of weather shifts and time passing. From a blue sky becoming rain to a sunny afternoon turning into night, it captures the beauty of impermanence. For parents of preschoolers and early elementary students, this provides a safe, soothing space to discuss how we can appreciate the present while feeling hopeful about what comes next. It is an ideal bedtime read for calming nerves and fostering a sense of interconnectedness with the world.
