A gentle picture book about a young mermaid who is preparing for the loss of her Grandma.
‘Love is the Gift’ by Joanna P.A Moore is a gentle picture book about a young mermaid who is preparing for the loss of her Grandma. Told in poetic stanzas with soft, colourful illustrations on every alternate page, this book demonstrates that those who love us don’t ever leave us, and how loss can be managed by remembering time with a loved one and the connection shared.
‘Love is the Gift’ has a lovely reassuring message however I did find that I struggled with the writing style. In places the sentence structure was mixed around in order to make the rhyme work, which left me a bit confused rereading the paragraph to make sure I understood what was being said (Alluring attractions of enchanted sea marvel). Other times there seemed to be no use of rhyme at all, which pulled me out of the story to reread the paragraph again to see whether I’d read it wrong. I think some further editing could help to resolve these issues, making the message within the story shiine much brighter.
I liked the illustrations, I found them to be beautiful and colourful but there was a softness to them that complimented the tone of the text. The text against the white background makes it clear to read which could help younger readers and also allows you to focus on the message in the story before looking at the pictures. ‘Love is the Gift’ is a book that could offer reassurance and comfort to young readers, helping them to understand bereavement.
Love is the Gift. This is a delightful book written for parents and carers to help them talk to children about death and the feelings it may evoke. It is also beautifully illustrated.
This is a delightful book written for parents and carers to help them talk to children about death and the feelings it may evoke. It is also beautifully illustrated.
Joanna does a wonderful job of making death into a thing of brightness and light. The story is complimented by gorgeous illustrations by Nina Mkhoiani which illuminate an underwater world.
Love is the Gift: Supporting Children Through Bereavement by Joanna P.A. Moore is a lyrical story that tells of the cycle of life through Alana the mermaid. Her granny explains what growing old means and what happens. My favourite line is:
“To move back to the home of eternal light.
Where love, is the only true thing, which always shines bright.”
Joanna does a wonderful job of making death into a thing of brightness and light. She even explains the feelings that those who have lost someone will experience through to the one day when memories become treasures. The story is complimented by gorgeous illustrations by Nina Mkhoiani which illuminate a fantasy underwater world. This book will make a wonderful gift for children of all ages who have experienced a loss.
Very helpful book in a difficult time
We enjoyed this book as a family. We've lost two loved ones in the last 18 months, It helped me as an adult to communicate about death in a positive way to my kids.
Highly recommend this book for young children to help them through the process of losing someone they love.
A lovely, thoughtful book to read with a child, or in a small group to help them understand and discuss, that death is part of life. The more we can talk about the process of life the less of a taboo subject death will become.
Also beautifully illustrated.
This is a fantastic book to read with or to your children or grandchildren to open a discussion on life and it's ending.
Fabulous book to read with your child or grandchildren to start a conversation about life and death. Well done to the author.