Thank you, Panda Incognito, for taking the time to read the book and share your perspective so thoughtfully. My intention with The Heart That Found You was not to suggest that a child exists to fill an emotional void, but to reflect something many young children genuinely want and need to hear: that they were deeply wanted and longed for. In early childhood, that message can be grounding and reassuring, and it is often a starting point for much broader conversations as children grow.
The story is intentionally general and metaphorical. Rather than explaining adoption in concrete terms (like explaining who the larger yellow heart is), it is meant to be a tool parents can use to frame their own child’s specific story, at a pace and depth that feels right for them. I see this book as one part of a larger dialogue, not a complete explanation of adoption or loss.
I fully agree that children deserve space, honesty, and support to explore their own experiences, feelings of loss and questions over time. My hope is that this book offers one gentle way to begin those conversations, especially with very young children, alongside many other resources and discussions as families grow together.
The story is intentionally general and metaphorical. Rather than explaining adoption in concrete terms (like explaining who the larger yellow heart is), it is meant to be a tool parents can use to frame their own child’s specific story, at a pace and depth that feels right for them. I see this book as one part of a larger dialogue, not a complete explanation of adoption or loss.
I fully agree that children deserve space, honesty, and support to explore their own experiences, feelings of loss and questions over time. My hope is that this book offers one gentle way to begin those conversations, especially with very young children, alongside many other resources and discussions as families grow together.