The Hole by Lindsay Bonilla
If you can say that something is both sweet and bittersweet at the same time, it would be the picture book, The Hole by Lindsay Bonilla and illustrated by Brizida Magro. It is due in February 2025 and I read via an online reader copy. But it might have to stay a one time read as it is not a happy story, but so tenderly done. The loss of the brother in this story is handled with care and empathy. The overall tone is modern […]
The Good for Nothing Puddle: Finding Hope When You're Stuck in Sadness by Jana Jackson
The Good for Nothing Puddle: Finding Hope When You’re Stuck in Sadness is actually an enjoyable story that shows depression, sadness, and grief in an unusually positive light without downplaying, ignoring or shaming it. However, the inclusion of God might turn some readers off as that part is an important part to the wrapping up of things and the message that the author wants to give. With that being said, I did enjoy the process of our main character figuring out that the puddle she […]
Bird by Kristin Rosetta Elliott Hood
Through the site that I get most of my online readers, I found several older titles. And by older I mean as far back as even 2002. The publisher was reissuing a few things I was assuming, but that is always fun as you never know what you will find. One of those books, that I almost did not read, was Bird by Kristin Rosetta Elliott Hood and illustrated by Shadra Strickland. This was one from 2017. This book was at first something that seemed […]
Next Stop: (A Graphic Novel) by Debbie Fong
I assumed Next Stop: (A Graphic Novel) by Debbie Fong would be a funny a minute laugh out loud read/book. Now, while it has funny moments, it is actually a serious story about loss, love, friendship, family dynamics and coming of age. Therefore, you really can’t always judge a book by its cover. The realistic, serious moments are relatable, thoughtful and even a bit educational. The humor is a nice balance to counter that. Then there is a bit of a supernatural element that you […]
Loose Threads: A Story about Me, Mom, and Dad by Airien Ludin
Boots by Elizabeth Pulsford
An unpleasant subject is the subject of death and grief. However, it happens, and a good way to talk about it is with a story. I will say grab two large, soft, boxes of tissues and you will need them, but you won’t regret trying out the books below. (Both were read via online reader copies.) Loose Threads: A Story about Me, Mom, and Dad written and illustrated by Airien Ludin (due mid/late October 2024) is a story about how a young girl has everything […]
Grandpa’s Window by Laura Ghel
OMG! Have a pack of tissues with you! I bawled my eyes out (well, I could have as I read this, though available, online reader copy)! This is one of the saddest, yet most beautiful stories of the loss of a beloved grandparent/grandfather, I think I have ever read. At first, I did not think I would like Grandpa’s Window as it gave me a start (how in the world would Grandpa have a window in the hospital that overlooked the ocean when all the […]
