• Age: 3 to 5
• Grade: p to k
• Reading age: 3 to 5

A heartfelt story that celebrates the power of intergenerational love, connection and friendship, featuring the nostalgic imagery of a small East Coast village.

When Peter was little, he asked his grandmother to knit him a VERY big sweater. So she made him a sweater with love knit into every stitch. Young Peter wore the sweater, with its drooping sleeves and oversized body, everywhere he went. Eventually, Peter outgrew his small seaside village and decided to see the world with his sweater providing comfort and a reminder of home on every adventure. After traveling for many years, he returns home to find a new family next door. They too have traveled from far away, and Peter finds a connection with the young son, who also needs a comforting reminder of home.

Originally from British Columbia's northern interior, Erin Welch moved to the East Coast in 2010. While she will always miss the mountains, she has come to know and appreciate the sublime beauty of the Acadian forest. Erin has a degree in English literature and is a mother to twins. She lives in Bear River, Nova Scotia.

Erin Welch's profile page

Dorothy Leung is an illustrator from the suburbs of Toronto. She studied and worked in architecture before pursuing her illustration dream. She is the illustrator of When the Wind Came and The Bird Feeder. In her work, she strives to evoke empathy, nostalgia, sentimentality and wonder. Dorothy's work has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators and American Illustration and has appeared in publications such as The Walrus and the Globe and Mail.

Dorothy Leung's profile page

• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens
• Commended, Ontario Library association (OLA) Best Bets

“Dorothy Leung’s colored gouache, pencil, and digital illustrations are warm and filled with many emotions, allowing readers to see how adventures may be exciting but home is where the heart is.”

Sal's Fiction Addiction

“A loving intergenerational relationship underlies Welch’s descriptive telling of an object that reminds its wearer of home...Leung’s earth-toned gouache, pencil, and digital illustrations slowly signal how the subtly patterned sweater roots Peter to the place, and, eventually, promises to do the same for another.”

Publishers Weekly

“A loving story of home, friendship, adventure, and personal growth knitted together with the universality of fiber and handmade gifts. Fiber lovers, crafters, and adventurers will feels its heart.”

Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD)

“In this tale, the rich bonds of family and friendship feel as warm and cozy as a comfy wrap.”

Kirkus Reviews

“A beautiful homage to intergenerational connections forged through making and sharing.”

The Miramichi Reader

“A feel-good story…Warm water colour renderings of the East Coast evoke the homey atmosphere of the maritime village. Recommended.”

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

“A touching story celebrating the significance of deep connections made across generations and the importance of home. The sweater, which almost assumes a character-like role, witnesses the ebbs and flows of Peter’s life, only to be given the privilege of repeating this journey with someone new.”

Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Canadian Children’s Book News