Tag Archives: death of loved one

Addy’s Cup of Sugar, Based on a Buddhist Story of Healing By, Jon J. Muth

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A beautifully written and illustrated story designed to assist a grieving child. The plot centers around a girl who experiences the death of her cat and wishes that the effects could be reversed. She was instructed by Stillwater, her wise friend, to assemble the right ingredients needed to assist her. She then walked around her neighborhood and asked for a cup of sugar from any house whose occupants have been immune from grieving a death. Further and further into the day, she realizes that there wasn’t one house that hadn’t experienced the loss of someone they love.

This is a compassionate story intended to explain and soften the feeling of loss and grief. It is based upon the Buddhist legend called “The Mustard Seed”, from a collection of sayings called the Dhammapada (first century BCE). A woman who loses her infant to death is instructed by Buddha to search for a household and receive a mustardseed from anyone not touched by death. This leads to her acceptance of death and the normalcy of this aspect of life.

Beautiful illustrations and lovely emotional expression. Recommended book.

Confusion is Nothing New

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Ellie’s mom is dead and Ellie is mad. She is mad that she never looked for the mother that left a few months after Ellie was born. She is mad that her dad never wanted to talk about her mom. And, she’s mad that her mom never really reached out to her.

But, she has a shoebox of mixed tapes, cd’s and odd items that her mom had apparently sent to her a year before. So, she and her band friends try to find out who this woman was that had been Ellie’s mom. She discovers so much along the way, most importantly that she is surrounded by loving friends and a dad that is her champion. Oh, and there are so many 1980’s songs mixed in that the reader will be compelled to turn up the stereo and sing along to some Cindy Lauper, et al.

This story is a fast -paced read with likeable characters who behave just like one would expect as they work together to put together who Ellie’s mom really was. Fortunately, there is believable closure for all as Ellie figures out who really matters to her. Recommended

The Unicorn in the Barn

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Unicorn barn

 

 

 

 

Eric Harper’s grandma has been moved into a nursing home. Her home has been sold to help with expenses and Eric is having a hard time adjusting to that reality.  After all, the Harper’s have owned this land for as far back as Eric can recall. They’ve loved it and protected it. However, when he learns the new owner, a veterinarian, helps magical creatures, he decides he can learn to adjust. And when he is offered a job caring for some of the creatures he is overjoyed. The trick for him will be to learn how to get along with bossy Allegra, the veterinarian’s daughter.

As the story unfolds we see a hard won understanding and friendship develop between Allegra and Eric. They work together to try to restore grandma’s health. Did you know unicorn hair had healing powers? Neither did they until grandma picked a few stray unicorn hairs off of Eric and soon thereafter had movement in a once feeble hand.

Ogburn delves into the topics of death, loyalty, bravery, just treatment of all living creatures and friendship. The dialog at times seems a little stilted or dated, but savvy readers should be able to adjust. The overall story line is about natural consequences and Ogburn handles the topic well with just enough emphasis without overdoing it.

There’s a surprise at the end of the book that astute readers may guess at midway through.

A first person tale, told in eleven year old Eric’s voice, this realistic fantasy will have the reader wanting more. A sweet story with a little sadness. With a possibility for a sequel.

unicorn barn pic