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When I See the Sun, You See the Moon

A tender story about love that travels across oceans, time zones, and hearts.
When MimiChi greets the sunrise in Japan, her Nona is watching the moon rise in America. Though they live an ocean apart, their love remains as constant as the sun and the moon they both share.
This beautifully illustrated children’s book celebrates the unbreakable bond between a grandparent and grandchild—and reminds readers that love knows no distance.
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When I See the Sun, You See the Moon

A Story That Connects Hearts Across the World

When I See the Sun, You See the Moon explores the quiet, parallel moments shared by MimiChi and her Nona as they move through their days on opposite sides of the world. From packing school lunches to bedtime routines, the story gently shows young readers that even when we miss someone deeply, love continues to flow—through memories, songs, whispered wishes, and the sky above us. This book is perfect for:
  • Children experiencing separation from loved ones
  • Grandparents and grandchildren
  • Military, expatriate, and globally connected families
  • Bedtime reading and classroom conversations about love and distance
✨ A reassuring reminder that we are never truly alone.
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When I See the Sun, You See the Moon By Jennie Marie

“When I see the sun, you see the moon.” “When I see the moon, you see the sun.”

A simple exchange that becomes a lifelong promise.
Meet the Author

Jennie Marie Naffie

Jennie Marie Naffie is a retired teacher and librarian who has always believed in the power of stories to connect hearts. She is also a former publisher and editor of a regional women’s magazine in West Michigan.

When Jennie’s granddaughters lived in Japan, she found comfort in knowing that—even across an ocean—they could share the same sun and moon. When I See the Sun, You See the Moon grew from that experience and became her love letter to family, connection, and the quiet magic of looking up.

Jennie writes stories that honor relationships, emotional resilience, and the beauty found in everyday moments.

Loved by Families and Readers

Grandparents and their grandchildren share a special bond, and this story beautifully highlights how love and connection transcend distance.

Reedsy

A moving children’s book about the love grandparents and grandchildren share, however far apart…the language is simple and ever so sweet in When I See the Sun, You See the Moon. It’s a quick, heartwarming story that’s quite perfectly suited for grandparents to read to their grandchildren, either in person or on a video call from far away.

INDEPENDENT BOOK REVIEW

By Toni Woodruff

“My daughter is five and loves to read. This story was simple enough for her to follow along but in depth enough to really make her think. Even though my mom—my daughter’s MiMi—only lives four hours away, she immediately connected with the story. When the moon appeared, she understood right away that when she sees it, her MiMi can see it too. Every time we reached the Nona part, she would excitedly say, “It’s Nona!” She loved the story ending—it was very meaningful to her.”

Kelsey Taylor

Founder and president of North Michigan Forest Explorers

This book is a true love letter from a grandmother to her grandchildren, and I highly recommend it.

Reader’s Corner

When I See the Sun, You See the Moon gives picture book readers and read-aloud adults the thought-provoking story of a granddaughter and grandmother who live “an ocean apart.” The distance between MimiChi, who lives in Japan, and her Nona, who lives in the United States, seems vast. But as the story unfolds, filled with simple, colorful illustrations by Mary Wahr, connections between the two, cemented by love, evolve to emphasize that distance does not diminish love. The daily rituals each performs with the other in mind help reinforce to young listeners and readers the fact that love can grow despite distance: MimiChi blows kisses outside and asks the wind to carry them to Nona. Nona sings their favorite songs and sends them back on the wind to MimiChi. The result is a lovely dialogue about remote love which can pave the way for effective conversations between adult and child about the ways love can be preserved even though miles physically separate loved ones and families. Elementary-level libraries will find When I See the Sun, You See the Moon easy to recommend to parents seeking picture book stories about absent family members or the impact of a long-distance relationship.

MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW

By Diane Donovan, Senior Reviewer

Share the Sun. Share the Moon. Share the Love.

Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, teacher, or caregiver, When I See the Sun, You See the Moon is a story that stays with you—long after the last page is turned.
🌞🌙 Let it become part of your family’s story.
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