A small note can remind a child of something important: you are loved, you are capable, and you do not have to face the day alone. A Spoonful of Love by Risa Hwang brings that idea into everyday family life through little notes to share in a lunchbox or school bag.
This four-book collection offers parents a simple way to make encouragement part of an ordinary morning. Books 1 and 2 focus on encouraging messages; Books 3 and 4 introduce wisdom drawn from Eastern and Western traditions, accompanied by a mother’s reflections.
Explore Books 1–4
Book 1 — A Little Encouragement from Mom
Book 1 contains 200 little notes from Mom, with blank reverse sides for your own message. Its simple, spacious pages keep the focus on a few reassuring words. The sample pages below show two kinds of encouragement: reminding a child that a difficult day does not diminish their worth, and helping them see that a small beginning still counts.
Use it on an ordinary school morning as well as a challenging one. A note can accompany a first attempt, a disappointing result, or a task that feels too big. On the blank back, add something specific you noticed: the effort your child made, the kindness they showed, or a moment you enjoyed together. That personal detail connects the printed message to your shared life.
Start with a small gesture of care. Share a note before school, tuck one into a bag, or read one together when your child needs reassurance. The message matters more than making the moment perfect.
Look Inside Book 1
Sample pages from the author’s interior file, rotated for on-screen reading. Click an image to enlarge.
Book 2 — Keep the Encouragement Going
Book 2 offers another 200 little notes from Mom, with blank backs for personal additions. In the selected pages, mistakes are treated as part of learning, while large tasks become easier to approach when divided into smaller pieces. These short messages offer a gentle starting point for talking about effort without demanding perfection.
For a practical family routine, choose a note before homework or tuck one into a backpack for later. After school, you might ask which small step felt manageable or what your child learned from something that did not go as planned. There is no need to use every note in order: choose the words that fit your child and the moment, then make them your own.
Continue the daily-note habit with a second collection of little messages. Choose a note that fits the day, and add a few words of your own to make it personal.
Look Inside Book 2
Sample pages from the author’s interior file, rotated for on-screen reading. Click an image to enlarge.
Book 3 — Eastern Wisdom
The two sample pages below show how this volume connects a classical idea with a familiar, caring voice. A thought adapted from Confucius asks the reader to combine learning with thoughtful behavior. On the reverse, Mom’s note brings the idea into daily life by inviting a child to use something learned that day to make a more considerate choice.
This pairing makes the book more than a collection of short sayings. The adapted thought provides a starting point, while the accompanying reflection offers a way to discuss it together. Read both sides, ask for an example from school or home, and listen to your child’s interpretation. These are adaptations with source references, not a replacement for reading the original classics in their fuller context.
Explore 200 adaptations of Eastern classics, paired with reflections written in a mother’s voice. These notes invite families to pause over an idea and talk about how it might apply to everyday life.
Try asking, “What does this mean to you?” A child’s answer can become the beginning of a conversation about patience, kindness, effort, or the choices we make.
Look Inside Book 3
Sample pages from the author’s interior file, rotated for on-screen reading. Click an image to enlarge.
Book 4 — Western Wisdom
The sample card below draws on Marcus Aurelius and asks the reader to remain kind when given greater power. Its reverse-side message makes that thought concrete: leading or choosing is also an opportunity to remember people whose voices are quieter. A classical reflection becomes a conversation about everyday responsibilities and relationships.
Try sharing this pair before a group activity, or reading it together when your child talks about making decisions with friends. You might ask what a considerate leader would do, then invite your child to suggest an example. As with Book 3, the adapted passages and Mom’s reflections have different roles: one introduces an idea from a classic, and the other helps a family explore its meaning today.
Discover 200 adaptations of Western classics, with a mother’s reflections and encouragement on the reverse of the cards. Share one thought at a time, and give your child room to respond in their own words.
Read alongside Book 3 to explore different traditions together. The goal is not to memorize every saying, but to find a thought worth carrying into the day.
Look Inside Book 4
Sample pages from the author’s interior file, rotated for on-screen reading. Click an image to enlarge.
How to Make a Little Note Part of the Day
- Choose a message together—or make it a surprise. Think about what your child is looking forward to or finding difficult.
- Place it where it will be discovered. A lunchbox or school bag can turn an ordinary break into a moment of connection. Keep paper notes separate from unpackaged food.
- Add your own words. A name, a short memory, or “I’m cheering for you” makes the note uniquely yours.
- Talk later, without turning it into a test. Ask whether a word or idea stayed with your child. It is fine if they simply enjoyed knowing you were thinking of them.
For the cut-out cards in Books 3 and 4, an adult should use scissors and follow the printed guides. These are bound books, not pre-perforated tear-off pads.
A Small Habit, Shared with Love
One sentence cannot promise to change a child’s future. But a daily message can create another opportunity to listen, encourage, and stay connected. A note does not need to be grand to be meaningful—it needs to feel like it came from you.
About the Author
Risa Hwang is the author of A Spoonful of Love. This collection is introduced here on Majungmul Press, the author’s publishing section.
The links above lead to the Amazon.com listings supplied by the author for each volume. Please check the selected edition, current price, and delivery availability on Amazon before purchasing.
