About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is witnessing a parent or loved one navigate a period of deep sadness, such as after a major move or life transition. It provides a gentle framework for understanding that adults can feel overwhelmed by change too, and that healing often takes time and small, tangible actions. Through the story of young Annie and her mother moving to the prairie, the book explores the heavy weight of homesickness and the quiet power of empathy. It is an ideal choice for children aged 4 to 9, offering a safe space to discuss the complicated emotions that come with leaving a familiar life behind. Parents will find it particularly helpful for normalizing 'big feelings' and showing how nature and family bonds can provide comfort during a family's fresh start.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book deals with parental depression and homesickness. The approach is realistic but accessible for children: the mother's sadness is shown through her silence and her inability to name the new baby. It is secular and resolves hopefully as the mother begins to heal through nature and connection.
