Read & Review: How Much Love Can a Heart Hold? by Angela Panayotopulos

At the end of May, I had my second son. My first was just over two and half. He was so excited to have a baby brother, but of course he did not fully understand what that meant. I didn’t really either; having one child has its own challenges, but I did not understand how it could work with two. For months I fretted over integrating a new life into the family. My two-year-old has always been pretty attached to me. I stay home with him and we co-sleep. How could I integrate a new and naturally needy little life into that? 

This book, How Much Love Can a Heart Hold? by Angela Panayotopulos, is just as much for parents of new little ones as it is for children. It helped remind me, in a sweet and simple way, of how much our love can grow, and how much my love has grown. It acknowledges the tricky bits – there are challenges, like when my toddler bit my baby’s toe – but there are also such sweet moments of kisses and cuddles. There are “new routines, out of the blue” which I am sure my toddler can really relate to, even if he cannot articulate it himself. That is what makes books so important for children: it helps them recognize, understand, and process their own emotions in ways they may not be able to otherwise. Books also help build empathy, and that is definitely something new siblings need! 

There are parts to this book that already make me feel nostalgic, triggering not so distant memories: “Our hearts work like clockwork since we are born, just a few seconds old,” brings me back to my second baby being born and placed on my chest, and how I knew right then that he was when and where he was meant to be (and so was I!).

I read all sorts of books with my toddler before the baby was born trying to “prepare” him for what was to come (I am a researcher at heart, and approach almost all of life’s challenges with a “to the books!” mentality). I am happily adding this one to our collection. I do not think he will have any trouble understanding it, and the art is gorgeous; he will love discussing the animals and their families. 

I love that this book inspires the connection of siblings. It is hard for my toddler right now, who so desperately wants to play in ways baby brother isn’t ready for – the rough and tumble kind of play. Sometimes big brother needs a reminder that baby brother is still growing, but they will be playing together soon. 

He also needs this reminder: “No matter how big our family gets, you’ll always be loved as deeply by me.” I never want him to forget that. Learning to share mama with a new baby is definitely hard sometimes! 

I found this to be a really lovely read and a beautiful book to have displayed on my children’s bookshelf. It is great for families welcoming a second child, and short and sweet enough for most children of various ages to appreciate.