Thursday, November 3, 2022

Brave Like Mom by Monica Acker and illustrated by Paran Kim [Review & Giveaway]


My thoughts: 
A look into the family as they deal with small children and parental illness. In the home the young child is so dependent on the mother that seeing them sick for an extended period, and even worse - a terminal illness, can be a life-changing devastation. So being able to live bravely through such an event is best demonstrated via the sick parent staying strong and brave. Then the child can see and emulate bravery as they live through their parent's illness. 


This is a softly sweet little book centered on the small child's experience through a parent's chronic, or terminal, illness. The bravery of the sick mother is first presented and its impact on the family. Then the young child's bravery as they face everyday fears is given. The child has learned to be brave as is the mother and so both face their fears.

This is not a book for every home, but will be a real asset in those homes with young children impacted with the chronic illness of a parent. Beautifully written and illustrated, the  book delivers an important message of courage to live through difficult situations. This is a very special book.


About the book:  (Beaming Books; November 1, 2022; ISBN: 978-1506483207; Hardcover $17.99; Ages 4-8; 32 pages). 

She cradles my sister and me and tells us she’s sick.
Sicker than bubblegum medicine can fix.
She tries different treatments now, hoping one day they will make her feel better.
My mom is strong.

As one girl watches her mom battle illness, she sees Mom being strong, brave, and fierce on both good days and bad ones. Mom is fierce as she catches and wrestles a fish and brave as she endures needles from the doctor. The girl wants to be brave like Mom! As she worries about her mom's health, the girl realizes that bravery comes in many forms and that she can be brave too.


Brave Like Mom teaches children courage, empathy, compassion, and about female strength and endurance. It is a poignant and sensitive story about a loved one living with a chronic illness, and an important lesson about how being brave doesn't mean you aren't scared.

About the author: Monica Acker is a writer and educator. She holds a BA in creative arts and a MAT degree in childhood education. Monica is a member of SCBWI, 12x12, and Children's Book Insider. She lives in Reading, Massachusetts, with her family.

About the illustrator: Paran Kim grew up in Seoul, South Korea, but moved to Tokyo when she was twenty to study fine art. She realized her true passion lay in making picture books and became a full-time illustrator. Paran now lives in Dresden, Germany, with her husband.

GIVEAWAY
Dates: November 3-26
Open to USA addresses only
a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment here at Chat With Vera. If you need to contact me directly, please use the email associated with this blog and posted in the sidebar.