In a cultural moment where speed, distraction, and disconnection often dominate, Love Is…offers a quiet revolution a children’s book that invites families to slow down and reflect on one of life’s simplest, most powerful truths: love is something we choose to live, not just feel.
Crafted by authors Frederick and Simone Canteen, Love Is… isn’t just a story it’s a mirror held up to the heart of family life. Through the everyday journey of a young boy named Caleb, the book invites children to explore what love really looks like not in fantasy, but in moments of forgiveness, kindness, patience, and selflessness. Whether it’s forgiving his father for breaking a toy or offering his favorite snack to a friend, Caleb’s actions guide young readers toward the idea that love is visible, active, and deeply human.
A Story Told with Purpose
Frederick and Simone Canteen aren’t newcomers to the world of storytelling but Love Is…marks their most personal and heartfelt work to date. As parents, educators, and advocates for emotional intelligence in children, their mission is clear: to help raise a generation that leads with compassion and character.
“Our goal was to create something that opens conversations between children and adults,” says Simone. “We wanted to offer more than just a beautiful story we wanted a tool for transformation.”
That vision is evident in every page. Rooted in the timeless values of 1 Corinthians 13:4–7, the book transcends religious boundaries to speak to the universal human experience. The story is followed by subtle reflection prompts questions like “How do we show love in this house?” or “What does patience feel like when we’re frustrated?” giving families and classrooms a way to carry the book’s message into everyday life.
Building a Legacy of Love
What makes Love Is…especially powerful is its refusal to treat love as a passive idea. In the hands of the Canteens, love becomes a practice, something to be lived out in small gestures that ripple outward shaping friendships, healing families, and inspiring communities. The authors believe that when children are taught to love with intention, they become agents of change in the world around them.
It’s a belief born not only from faith, but from lived experience. As parents raising children of their own, the Canteens wrote this book from the inside out with empathy, authenticity, and vision.
A Book for Every Home
Love Is… fits seamlessly into bedtime routines, character education programs, or classroom discussions but its reach goes far beyond its format. In a world where division often feels louder than connection, this book whispers a gentle truth that resonates across generations: love is kind, love is patient, and love is always worth choosing.
Frederick and Simone Canteen have given families more than a book they’ve given them a legacy to pass on. One page, one conversation, and one act of love at a time.