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The Invisible Leash

An Invisible String Story About the Loss of a Pet

Contributors

By Patrice Karst

Illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

Formats and Prices

Price

$9.99

Price

$12.99 CAD

From the author of the million-copy-bestselling picture book phenomenon The Invisible String comes a moving companion title about coping with grief when a pet dies.

When our pets aren’t with us anymore, an Invisible Leash connects our hearts to each other. Forever.” That’s what Zack’s friend Emily tells him after his dog dies. Zack doesn’t believe it. He only believes in what he can see. But on an enlightening journey through their neighborhood—and through his grief—he comes to feel the comforting tug of the Invisible Leash. And it feels like love.

Accompanied by tender, uplifting art by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff, bestselling author Patrice Karst’s gentle story uses the same bonding technique from her classic book The Invisible String to help readers through the experience of the loss of a beloved animal.

Read all the books in The Invisible String series:
The Invisible String Backpack: Your very own tool kit for school—and life!
The Invisible String Workbook: Creative Activities to Comfort, Calm, and Connect
The Invisible Leash: An Invisible String Story About the Loss of a Pet​
The Invisible Web: An Invisible String Story Celebrating Love and Universal Connection
You Are Never Alone: An Invisible String Lullaby

  • "I absolutely love The Invisible Leash. I am a Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Veterinarian, [and this book] helps children cope with the loss of a pet by focusing on love and connection."
    Dr. Erica Dickie, Black Creek Mobile Veterinary Services
  • "A wonderful way for children of all ages to conceptualize where their pets are and take comfort in the idea that they are still very attached and will be for life."
    Rita Drake, Veterinary Aftercare Services
  • "A unique way of helping readers cope. I highly recommend this book be available in shelters, pet stores, veterinary clinics, and grief counseling meetings."
    Stacy Dietrich, RVT, BOE, veterinarian
  • "A truly wondrous book for all ages [that offers] much love and reassurance that...the love between yourself and your animals creates a bond that can never be broken."
    Carrie Ball, Pet Bereavement Support Network
  • "Will likely appeal to the pet-owning fans of The Invisible String and will find a place in collections in need of pet loss books."
    School Library Journal
  • "An empathy-driven resource for children reckoning with the loss of a pet."
    Publishers Weekly
  • "The stages of grief are clearly written and illustrated...helpful for grieving children."
    Kirkus Reviews
  • Praise for The Invisible String:

    Over 1.5 MILLION copies sold!
    A USA Today Bestseller
    An Amazon Bestseller
    A Publishers Weekly Bestseller


    “A wonderful storybook for children experiencing separation anxiety.” I>Today’s Parent

    “It’s the most beautiful, beautiful book, and it actually makes me cry every time.” B>Sara Haines, ABC’s The View

    “Unravel some of the complexities of grief for young children with this bestselling book.” B>CNN Underscored

    “Delivers a particularly compelling message in today’s uncertain times that though we may be separated from the ones we care for, love is the unending connection that binds us all.” B>The American Academy of Pediatrics

    “A wonderful way of describing that while someone dies, love never dies.” I>The Washington Post

    "This book is a beautiful way to begin to try, as parents, to instill in children the impenetrable power of the heart, the energy of love, and the flow that can be felt from the grace in every moment."
    Tony Robbins

On Sale
May 25, 2021
Page Count
32 pages
ISBN-13
9780316524896

Storytime Kit

LBYR - First page of 'The Invisible String' Books storytime kit

Patrice Karst

About the Author

Patrice Karst is the author of the bestselling, contemporary classic The Invisible String, which has sold over 1.5 million copies and been translated into more than twenty languages. Patrice has also written The Invisible String Family Celebration: A Reimagining of The Invisible String, The Invisible String BackpackThe Invisible Leash: An Invisible String Story Celebrating Love After the Loss of a PetThe Invisible Web: An Invisible String Story Celebrating Love and Our Universal ConnectionYou Are Never Alone: An Invisible String Lullaby, and The Invisible String Workbook: Creative Activities to Comfort, Calm and Connect, a therapeutic activity book co-written with Dana Wyss, Ph.D. Patrice has also written Ruby and Lonely, The Smile That Went Around the World, and God Made Easy, a universal spiritual guide to God for adults. Born in London, England, she now lives in Southern California. She invites you to learn more at http://www.patricekarst.com.

Kristina Jones is an illustrator who has worked as a creative arts educator in both Ukraine and Eswatini. Her first book, The Amazing African Animal Alphabet, was nominated for an IBBY South Africa Picture Book Illustrator Award. She lives in British Columbia with her husband, daughter, giant dog, and three rescue cats.

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Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

About the Illustrator

Joanne Lew-Vriethoff is the acclaimed illustrator of many children’s books, including the new edition of The Invisible String, The Invisible Leash, The Invisible Web, You Are Never Alone: An Invisible String Lullaby, and the Invisible String Workbook, as well as Stacy McAnulty’s Beautiful and Brave. Born in Malaysia, she grew up in Los Angeles, studied at the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, and now lives in Amsterdam. Her website is joannelewvriethoff.com.

Learn more about this illustrator