Friday, September 9, 2016

The Reindeer Tree - a bookwrap









Unwrapping...






"The Reindeer Tree"

Authored and Illustrated by Kirsten Meier
Ages 3+




Illustrations for you to ogle... 





























About the book...


This book is based on true events from the author's childhood.  The reason she felt compelled to write about her experience was to help other kids who may be going through grief and loss of a loved one and to point out to them how precious personal memories are.  

This magical story is written in rhyme and highlights a beautiful bond between a little girl and her beloved Grandpa.  The simple child-like illustrations draw the reader in to a warm, loving story.

The little girl loves to visit her Grandpa and together they play pretend, read together all snuggled up, chat about the stars and bugs, go for walks outside, and enjoy each other's company immensely.  

"There were dolls to dress, and things to draw
but my favourite thing wasn't a toy at all."  
"It was Grandpa, my greatest friend!"

But one day everything changes.  Grandpa gets very ill and has to be taken away to the hospital.  After his return home he encourages his little granddaughter not to be afraid but to come and sit on his lap once again and he will show her something amazing that he has found in the tree across the street.  Curiosity overtakes her and she climbs aboard. Whatever could it be? Is it a special nest belonging to a squirrel or bird? Perhaps a treehouse that the neighbours have built?  No, it is something very, very special that only Grandpa and his darling little granddaughter can see..... it's a reindeer..... seemingly carved right into the branches! How unusual and interesting!!

Unfortunately Grandpa gets even more sick and then he goes away forever.   Sadly, he passes.  Everyone in the family is heartbroken. As time moves on, it mends those broken hearts.  The little girl finds a special way to keep the memory of her Grandpa alive when one day she witnesses the neighbour cutting down that tree that she and her Grandpa loved so much.  What do you think she is up to now?  She manages to obtain a piece of history from her relationship with her dear Grandpa that will remind her of him always.  

This is a wonderful book to use as a catalyst for conversations about chronic illness and death of a loved one.  I highly recommend this book.  





About the author/illustrator...





Kirsten Meier works with special needs children in schools. She loves to draw and fill her time creating things. She and her husband, Dale, live in Omaha, Nebraska.









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Read on and read always! 

It's a wrap.

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