About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the heavy weight of family illness or the lingering sadness of a lost loved one, especially if they are trying to find their own identity amidst the noise of a crisis. Set in 1918 Perth, this story follows Alice as her mother battles the Spanish Flu and her family honors the memory of her father who died in the war. It is a gentle but realistic exploration of how life's many transitions can happen all at once. Parents will appreciate the way the story balances historical gravity with the personal frustrations of a young girl. While the backdrop is a global pandemic, the heart of the book is about resilience, the healing power of art, and the unexpected ways that hope returns to a family. It is a sophisticated chapter book that models how to carry grief while still reaching for one's own dreams, making it an excellent choice for empathetic readers aged 8 to 12.
