Hi there!
Welcome back to the site that puts the “ish” in bookish…Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.
It’s Tuesday…woo-hoo! Why the party vibe? Umm…it just felt like the right thing to do. I mean really, why NOT celebrate the week one day at a time…especially if it’s a bookish celebration. I say let’s make it the plan Stan (or insert your own name there if you don’t happen to be named Stan) because it’s the best cure to the otherwise mundane that can settle in if you’re not careful. (Please, be careful!) So, grab your party hats and streamers, it’s time to celebrate another BOOK BIRTHDAY! ~toots horn~
Today’s book star comes to us from a children’s author who aims to teach life’s many lessons through her works. So far, so good! This is a special edition to the growing series showcasing a foundation near and dear to the author’s heart as well as those that have and will benefit from it (or their local chapter) at some point in their lives. Regardless of your beliefs, please open your hearts and your minds as we welcome today’s book of choice…
By
Rebecca Perlman Coniglio, LCSW
Illustrated by
Jen Mundy
ISBN: 9781620864081
Mascot Books
ISBN: 9781620864081
Mascot Books
Little Lily is her mother’s and father’s little pearl, the apple of their eye, the best crayon in the box and any other analogy you can throw in there. She’s sweet as can be, never hesitates to ask what’s on her mind and, as we find out here, more than happy to help others whenever she can.
In this story, Little Lily learns about a special race taking place in her neighborhood to benefit a foundation she is just learning of…the NJ Sharing Network. It’s mission is to save and enhance lives through the miracles provided by organ and tissue donation…but that explanation while accurate is a bit too black and white for a six year old. To bring things into the full color of here and now, she meets those running the race as well as the “cheerleaders” on the sidelines. They are those “left behind” …by that I mean the friends and family of survivors who benefited from the kindness received as well as those who gave of their hearts in their own time of loss.
It’s a hard concept to explore without getting too spiritual because I know some religions frown upon the entire concept but here, it is shown in a gentle light without passing any judgment. Lily is exposed to new ideas, allowing her young mind to cultivate the information and see how she fits in. Being the kind soul she is, her decision is a tad predictable but hey, can you fault her for wanting to help others? No…you certainly can not.
Aside from sweet Lily and her loving parents, I gotta say I love how the “extra” characters are placed front and center. When we meet Maddie’s friends, there to be the physical representation of their friend’s act of kindness, as well as Michael (or at least his presence), a recipient of someone else’s sharing, it’s a tender moment that makes it that much more real. We see that it was something they felt blessed to be able to do and took great joy in the outcome so that despite their friend having passed on, their memory was not gone, and their energy helped another’s life force in need.
In conclusion, a heady topic to some degree…at least once you’re in the older set…but a kid friendly way to present the idea and gain a new audience for a foundation that touches the lives of many across these united states. With the wonderful illustrations to accompany you on your journey of the heart, you can’t go wrong…at least not in my eyes. A recommended read for those of all ages looking for a heart warming true-to-life story as well as a way to bridge the age gap on a concept not discussed often enough.
Review copy received courtesy of author Rebecca Perlman Coniglio. (THANKS!) For more information on this title as well as the author’s other works, be sure to search her out online. This title as well as the complete series (thus far) can be found over at Mascot Books (www.mascotbooks.com) as well as at your favorite online and in-store retailers, so be on the lookout for it on your next book buying adventure (you know, in T-minus 3…2…1… ^_^)
Until next time…happy reading!
2 comments:
'The best crayon in the box' - what a lovely description.
Tracy: If the color fits... ^_^
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