PPBF: Calling The Wind

Today I'm excited that PPBF is back and my pick

focuses on the healing from the loss of a loved one.

As many of you know, grief is still very personal to me as

I continue to walk the painful path of losing my brother Mipps. 

Our friend Mary Clare made this beautiful image for me;

if only my eyes could see that smile one. more. time.

The missing and the longing feel awful, but

the memories and the hope make it bearable.

Grief, after all, is deep love with nowhere to go.

Today's PPBF was also born out of grief and loss and I'm so very grateful 

to have received this copy on the book's birthday this week.

Title: Calling the Wind: A story of healing and hope

Author: Trudy Ludwig

Illustrator: Kathryn Otoshi

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Birth date: October 4, 2022

Suitable for: ages 4-8

Themes: grief, feelings, healing

Brief synopsis: When a family's heart breaks at the death of their mom, what will bring their peace back even as they grieve their loss?

Opening page: fuyu (winter) 

a family's loss 

fills every room with silence

words freeze, unspoken

Resources:

Read a note from the author and the illustrator {here}

Check out the educators' guide {here}

Hear a podcast with author and illustrator {here}

Read a Kirkus Review {here}

Watch a tutorial for Origami Cranes {here}

Why I like this book: I love both of these artists, the author and the illustrator so I was SO excited to learn a few years back that they would be partnering up to bring us a masterpiece around the theme of grief and loss, healing and hope. It truly puts an exclamation point on author Mitch Albom's contention that, "Death ends a life, not a relationship." Trudy's words so beautifully complement the gorgeous pastel images that share the story of a family walking through their pain of having lost the mom. Inspired by the Wind Phone out of Japan, this emotional gem explores the power of the wind and its parallel with our breath, the healing power of flowers and the need to reach out and connect with our loved one just one. more. time. 

This powerfully-symbolic treasure will likely help its readers find a way to sort through and navigate their feelings even as they visit them one by one, two by two, a dozen at a time even. We as humans are blessed with some 34,000 emotions which can choose us at any given time depending on what we're going through; as Trudy so eloquently scribes and Kathryn so poignantly brings to life:

Feelings too big to hold inside must find a way out. 

I don't want to spoil it for you, so I'm going to stop there even though there are many more reasons why I love this newcomer. The resources in the back offer support for families who feel stuck in their grief or who need additional resources. In the Houston area, you can check out Bo's Place.

Other ideas that have helped me as I've made grief my friend:

Relax under a weighted blanket.

Write a letter to your loved one.

Journal your feelings in pictures or words.

Go outside and gets some fresh air.

Savor the benefits of water and blue spaces.

Take a long walk to awaken your senses.

Get plenty of rest; the body truly does keep the score.

Eat healthy meals and drink plenty of water.

Let people know when you're ready to hear their stories.

Find healthy ways to carry your love one's memory forward.

Know that your grief journey is unique;

there is no hurry, there is no script,

there is no right or wrong way to do it.

I'm so grateful to Trudy and Kathryn for this work of heART;

check out today's other PPBF picks at Susanna's blog {here}.